Elijah Craig 23 Year Single Barrel Bourbon

Everything is subjective, including the value for someone drinking a dram like this. I had some amazing pours this week, but I must say, apart from the proof being on the low side, EC 23 is Excellent. The low proof also makes this a perfect afternoon sipper. My two favorite pours of the week were William Heaven Hill 12 at 134.4 proof and Barrell Craft Spirits 25 year old at approximately 111 proof. The nose, palate, and finish of the EC 23 were truly enjoyable. Both of those received my highest rating of 4.75, just 1/4 point above the EC 23. Now, regarding the cost, this is the last of a bottle that I paid $350 for at the time, or less than $14 per ounce, making it even more of a reason to enjoy some of Heaven Hill's renowned older stock. Bottle was an Old Label 2017, which replaced the 20 and 21 from that period. Currently, the secondary market price is $900.

This is a pleasant surprise for an older spirit! Exceptionally smooth and intricate. While on a tour, I received this as a bonus tasting. The aroma features dark brown sugar and currant. The taste reveals vanilla, currant, caramel, subtle baking spices, and excellent oak notes! I typically find aged bourbon (over 15 years) to be too oak-forward, but this one nails the key elements. If I had an extra $300, I'd definitely buy a bottle!

It has a musty, nutty character with notes of cooked fruit, primarily orange, alongside hints of vanilla and leather. The finish is of medium length, and the texture is rather thin. It's a little too astringent. While I haven't sampled the 18 or 21-year-old versions, it seems the 23 years might be excessive. Nevertheless, tasting something aged for 23 years in a barrel (a single barrel, no less) is worthwhile. It's still delicious and exhibits Elijah Craig's characteristic flavors, though it lacks some intensity.

This has a deeper amber hue. The scent was a combination of Almond and Spearmint. Additional oak notes become more prominent as it rests. Overall, there's an earthy sweetness present. The flavor has pleasant dark fruit and a good amount of oak, but not an overwhelming amount. It seemed to grow more savory over time. Later, vanilla becomes the most prominent flavor. Honey emerges at the end. It's truly excellent, though just shy of being perfect.

To put it simply, this is the taste profile of Rhetoric bourbons that I pine for. It's incredibly oak-forward, but miraculously stays in check. The aroma and flavor are virtually the same, featuring bold oak, toasted walnuts, honey, vanilla, deep caramel, molasses, and pure butter. The conclusion is a little brief, but it leaves behind hints of wood sugars, vanilla, and, as you might expect, additional delightful oak.

A strong scent of wood greets you, reminiscent of an old leather-bound book. That pronounced woody character carries into the taste, where I find tobacco and leather, complemented by a pleasant initial sweetness. It's smooth and creamy with a lengthy, peppery finish. A very fine bourbon, though I suspect it might be better with a bit less age. The woody notes would be improved if they weren't so dominant. Nevertheless, it's excellent.