Elijah Craig Barrel Proof
Some days walking into a liquor store you end up not finding much and some days you find the last bottle of the newest batch of one of your favorite bourbons.
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof
Batch A118; 65.3%
Color: Red Mahogany
Nose: The alcohol is pretty strong at first but after it burns off you’re rewarded with a pretty sweet nose: vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and potpourri.
Taste: The pepper-spice burn is strong with this one but it also burns out fairly quick. Along with the pepper is oak, char, hints of coffee, herbs, and a tinge of vanilla at the end.
Finish: For such a high proof bourbon the finish is pleasantly smooth. There’s a light bite on the tongue and a general warmness but not the burn that you’d expect. The earthier flavors linger and morph into a leathery flavor but it makes for a pleasant aftertaste.
Adding water mellows the earthier notes and brings out some of the sweeter and floral notes adding new complexity to the bourbon.
Verdict: B+
This was a fun bourbon and like I mentioned it’s one of my favorites that I look forward to the biannual release. If you can find it, which isn’t impossible, it’s one of the best deals in bourbon. A 12-year old barrel proof bourbon for $50-60 in this market it an outrageous deal. Find yourself a bottle and enjoy it.
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