Editor’s Note: This whiskey was provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. This in no way, per our editorial policies, influenced the final outcome of this review. It should also be noted that by clicking the buy link in this review our site receives a small referral payment which helps to support, but not influence, our editorial and other costs.
Reverend Elijah Craig- distiller, Baptist preacher, educator, entrepreneur, and described by some as renowned “father of bourbon,” earned his legacy in 1789 when, it is said, he discovered that whiskey that ages in a new charred barrel vastly improves upon the flavor. Some 250 years later, the Elijah Craig brand that bears his name, and which is produced by Heaven Hill, continues to hold an important role in Kentucky bourbon.
The brand offers five bourbon expressions, some of which procure a serious cult-following: their flagship bourbon is the Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon, accompanied by the Toasted Barrel Bourbon, renowned 18 year Old Bourbon, Kentucky Straight Rye, and their three times a year batches of Barrel Proof Bourbon.
For an uncut taste of their bourbon in its purest form, I’m reviewing a bottle of this Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon A123. Every bottle of the undiluted expression is unique in its proof and labeled with a code that depicts the specifications of its’ batch- an alphabetical letter to represent its ranking in order of release (either A, B, or C of the given year), followed by 3 numerals to confirm the date it was bottled- the first being the month, and the last two being the year.
Tasting Notes: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof A123
Vital Stats: Proof 125.6; Age 12 year; Batch A123 ; Mash bill 78% corn, 12% malted barley, 10% rye; Price $117.99 retail
Appearance: honey amber, red auburn cinnamon stick color.
Nose: musk, cloves and cinnamon. almost grassy, red hot candy, can sense the heat in the olfactory
Trending Stories
Palate: A firework of a sip! Bright sweet flavors and intense heat tickles the back of the throat, followed by deep notes of menthol, cinnamon spice and red delicious apple. The finish softens into lingering notes of caramel and banana.
Latest News