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.
We are back once again with another barrel proof bottling from Heaven Hill, this time looking at Elijah Craig Barrel Proof B523. Heaven Hill Distillery runs barrel proof programs using the same naming convention for Elijah Craig and Larceny. A,B, or C for 1st, 2nd, or 3rd release of the year, a number for the month, and two numbers for the year.
Elijah Craig is distilled at Heaven Hill Springs Distillery. Heaven Hill was founded in 1935 by the Shapira family and a group of investors, with the family being lucky enough to buy out the investors just a few years later. Following a fire in 1996, they purchased the current distillery at the Bernheim location. The distillery has grown into one of the leading Bourbon distillers and produces brands including Elijah Craig, Evan Williams, and Parker’s Heritage.
The big news here is with the change to the Elijah Craig Barrel Proof bottlings. As we mentioned in this Whiskey Wash article back in May, each bottle will have its own unique age statement. This will allow for more specificity of what the consumer receives, while allowing the person enjoying it to know a little more about the nuance between age statements.
It is hard to say how big of a change this is or will be as the current one is labeled seven months younger than the old barrel proof bottles. Heaven Hill is also teasing that their September bottling, C923, will have at least a 13 year age statement. They aim for each batch to have its own unique flavor profile while keeping the over aged flavor profile the brand is known for.
Let’s talk about age statements briefly. An age statement is regulated by the youngest whiskey in a barrel. For a look at some of the more extreme measures of this take a look at Compass Box’s 3 Year Old Deluxe. It is also why some companies actually opt for no age statement on their higher end blends, while maintaining an age statement on their entry level. So in the case of the Elijah Craig Barrel Proof B523 the youngest whiskey is 11 years and five months old, and unless speaking directly to the person responsible for blending it, you likely won’t get to know those older components.
This bottling of Elijah Craig Barrel Proof is B523 comes in at 62.1%, which is slightly lower proof than the A123 release from earlier this year. If you are searching for it on the shelf, the bottle looks just as you would remember with one minor change to the label to accommodate the new rotating age statements. The whiskey inside the bottle remains largely what you would expect from one of these releases.
Tasting Notes: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof B523
Vital Stats: 62.1% ABV. Aged 11 years and five months. SRP of $69.99 per 750ml bottle.
Trending Stories
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.
Latest News