Bourbon

Whiskey Review: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof B253

We review Elijah Craig Barrel Proof B523, the first in this long running Heaven Hill series to feature rotating age statements.

OVERALL RATING

8
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Elijah Craig Barrel Proof B523 review

Tasting Notes

About:

62.1% ABV. Aged 11 years and five months. SRP of $69.99 per 750ml bottle.
Appearance:
This is a lovely orange copper color and forms small beads around the glass that turn into thin long legs.
Nose:
This smells like cinnamon toast and a freshly cut tree. Little bit of sweet spice and vanilla with fresh oak.
Palate:
This is a hot one, as is to be expected from its proof. Moving past the heat of it there are some dry notes of vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg up front. Transitions to a bit of musty leather, and finishes with a dry peppery oak. Addition of water brings out a bit of caramel sweetness, but also a bit more astringency.
Finish:
Comments:
This is another Elijah Craig Barrel Proof release. That is to say, just because they changed the age statement doesn’t mean you should expect much of anything has changed. It is still an over-proof bourbon with those over aged qualities of dry, heavy oak. When compared to other things at this age statement and proof this is far more palatable for me. It has some pleasant subtleties to the spice profile and makes for a good old fashioned. rnrnIf you do not regularly drink things with an ABV this high, I would probably suggest giving it a pass and suggest checking out Elijah Craig Small Batch instead if interested in the brand.

Editor’s Note: This whiskey was either bought as a sample by The Whiskey Wash or provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. Per our editorial policies, this in no way influenced the outcome of this review.

Ian Arnold

Ian Arnold brings eight years of bartending expertise to the table, having honed his skills in renowned establishments across California, Australia, and Portland. His most recent position behind the bar was at the esteemed Multnomah Whisk(e)y Library. A dedicated member of the Oregon Bartenders' Guild's leadership team, Ian also served as a judge for numerous cocktail competitions. Currently working in the IT field, he continues to delight guests with his bartending prowess. In his leisure time, Ian enjoys playing board games and savoring the complexities of Japanese whisky.

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