Elijah Craig 12 Year

12-Year Side-by-Side Comparison I shared this tasting recently, and only one person correctly guessed my order. Here are the notes I promised. Ranging from best to worst: 1. EC12 (7.5/10) 2. 1792 12 year (6.5/10) 3. Three Chord Twelve Bar (6.5/10) 4. Weller 12 (6/10) EC12: Clearly my top pick from this group. While not the most complex, it was perhaps the pour that best embodied the concept of "it just works." Every element combined harmoniously, making for an enjoyable and easily sipped experience. It offered sweet cream with a hint of fruit, butterscotch flavors, and a pleasant grassy spice. The finish was predominantly dry peanut and a whisper of raw sugar candy. Unfortunately, acquiring more of this pour is quite difficult. 1792: This was a very close call with the Three Chord. I needed to taste both again to decide. It had an oily, earthy character with hints of tobacco, a touch of bitterness, noticeable charred oak, and dusty leather. The finish presented dry peanut powder (closer to PB2 than actual peanuts) and a slightly sour note. There was also a suggestion of something savory, akin to barbecue. Twelve chord: This had the highest proof and the most peanut flavor, with dry, medicinal herbal notes, some caramel, vanilla, and brown sugar. Despite being significantly higher in proof than the others, it didn't taste noticeably hotter. It might have been the least complex, perhaps the most one-dimensional. I wished for greater depth and complexity. W12: The least favored by a noticeable, though not huge, margin. It was the smoothest of the group, meaning it had the least bite and spice – which is logical given its lower proof and lack of rye in the mash bill. However, within the flavors I could detect, there were off-putting notes amplified by the side-by-side tasting. The most prominent issue was a cheap bubble gum taste. The overall impression was one of internal conflict: a thin mouthfeel (due to low proof), excessive char (from aging), clove, and an unpleasant bubble gum/strawberry banana combination (a common result of wheat in the mash bill, but more pronounced here). The finish contained artificial strawberry Nesquik, which lingered persistently. I had to rinse my palate with water and return to it; afterward, it improved slightly, showing a hint of maple sugar.

Dark amber color. Nose: Ethanol and vanilla. Initial taste: Sweet caramel with very little burn. A subtle hint of baking spices that quickly disappear. It's incredibly smooth and pleasant. There's much more complexity than the nose suggests. After resting: The ethanol evaporates from the nose, revealing fruity berries and caramel. Still very smooth, with minimal flavor development. With water: It dilutes the flavor significantly. Avoid. A long, sweet finish. I thoroughly enjoyed this. An easy whiskey to sip. I found it most satisfying as a complete experience after it had been allowed to sit for a few minutes.

Sampled at the BIC Camera in Akasaka, Tokyo, Japan. This bottle was available for tasting but not on the menu. Its age was unknown, and it had been sitting there for an indeterminate amount of time. The aroma consisted of peanut, a hint of caramel, wood, and faint cardboard. The flavor echoed the peanut, but in a sugary, melted peanut caramel brittle style. The oak notes from the aroma were absent in this sweeter-than-expected taste. The finish was brief, sweet, and somewhat thin, with a touch of ethanol.

The 1991 pre-fire HH was at its peak. Shared by a friend. It had a bit of a musty and unique character, but that classic HH profile came through. It lands on the middle of my tongue and remains with an oily texture. The aroma had wheat and a subtle presence of light brown sugar and wood. No unpleasant flavors or alcohol burn were present at this point. It still possesses that papery finish I detect in many HHs, which I find appealing. Light vanilla, caramel, and oak notes are there. Moderately sweet with a pleasant drinking experience at 95pf. I would definitely drink this again if I could find it, as it's quite rare.

I concur with the expert assessments of the flavor profile. I had anticipated trying this bourbon for a while and had high hopes. While it was somewhat underwhelming, it wasn't poor by any means; it simply lacked anything distinctive enough for my regular collection. Considering the $25 price, the value is good, but it just didn't quite meet my expectations. Nevertheless, it might be exactly what you're looking for, so don't hesitate to sample it.

Fantastic! A full and rich bouquet filled the room upon opening. Sweetness from vanilla, cinnamon, and fruit, complemented by spice from ginger and pepper, creates a sophisticated taste. It starts spicy, then sweetness follows, concluding with a lengthy finish of aroma and nutmeg. A classic bourbon worth experiencing!