Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Bourbon Batch C921

The nose is rich and full, featuring pecan, nutmeg, caramel, vanilla, allspice, cinnamon, ginger, clove, Fuji apple, and oak. There's very little ethanol. The palate offers all the spices from the nose (refer to the above section to avoid repetition) along with some burnt sugars, cashew, tobacco, gooey caramel, baker's chocolate, and blackberry. It's definitely impactful. The finish is extremely long, with notes of barrel char, leather, slightly astringent oak, fiery chili pepper, and a hint of peppermint. There's some alcohol warmth and a sharp, prickly mouthfeel that detracts from it. It finishes very dry. I really enjoy these expressions. That said, while there are versions that are sweet, fruity, or spicy, this one leans towards the latter, with abundant notes of hot baking spices. It has a very "autumnal" character. The finish was harsher than I would have liked, though I concede it's a minor issue. At $80, these remain an incredible value in the current market. Purchase without hesitation, knowing that at worst (as is the case here), you're still getting a highly satisfactory pour.

Opened for two weeks. Nose - Cinnamon, gingerbread, black tea, caramel, molasses, crushed blackberries, pronounced oak, and moderate ethanol. Taste - Vanilla glazed gingerbread cookie, chocolate-covered oranges, thick caramel, berry pie, hints of honey and tea, sweet oak, and light ethanol upfront. The finish is medium-long with ample sweet oak, baking spices, black tea, candied oranges, and a noticeable ethanol bite at the end. Wow, I was concerned about this brand this year after two disappointing batches. This marks a return to form and meets the expectations of enthusiasts for this brand with each new release. It surpasses a previous batch and is significantly better than another. I believe it holds up well against releases from 2020, though I don't have any readily available. It's so good that I purchased a second bottle recently. They remain among the best value bourbons if the batch is good, and this one is certainly worth the price.

I was concerned this wouldn't measure up to previous ECBP releases based on reviews I'd encountered. Fortunately, I was mistaken! The nose initially carries considerable heat, but allow it to breathe and adjust your senses. You'll discover notes of apple cider, rich vanilla, cloves, fresh oak, and cherries. The palate is viscous and chewy, tasting much like it smells: caramel, cinnamon buns, hot cider, honey, a bit of chocolate. The long, dense finish is replete with honey, vanilla, and caramel, along with ample oak and spices to prevent it from tasting too sweet. The entire experience is remarkably consistent, yet complex. The distiller's review accurately noted one thing – it genuinely tastes like autumn, in the most delightful way. Does it surpass some earlier releases? Likely not, but it's very close. Absolutely worth acquiring.

The aroma consists of a sweet combination of charred oak, marshmallow, vanilla rye spice, and hotter notes of baking spices. It presents as a delectable dessert, yet possesses those spicier bourbon notes. It is so direct in its profile that tasting it seems the immediate next step. The palate is somewhat dry and chewy, with an intense burst of baking spices, charred oak, and rye spice. Similar to the aroma, it is very direct and to the point. The sweeter notes of marshmallow and vanilla provide balance and create an incredible taste. The finish is of medium length, with a lingering peppery sensation as the charred oak and marshmallow notes fade.

Deep copper in color. The nose presents heavy vanilla, dark cherries, honey, Dr Pepper cola, a charred cinnamon stick, and sweet oak. It has a heavy-bodied mouthfeel. The palate is oaky and spicy, initially dominated by the sweet oak, followed by vanilla bean, cinnamon stick, and ground nutmeg, with undertones of cherry cola, roasted peanuts, leather, black pepper, and bittersweet chocolate dusted with sea salt. The finish is medium-long and hot, again led by the oak but drier and more tannic than the palate, with more baking spices and a touch of leather.

Neck pour, really enjoying this… a very nice balance between sweetness and oak, with pleasant spice notes throughout the palate. A very creamy mouthfeel, among the creamiest Bourbons I've had recently. Warm, but not overpowering… very drinkable. I'm eager to see how it develops, anticipating something special. It significantly surpasses B521… I recall A521 being solid, but this one makes a strong initial impression. I plan to acquire one or two more of the C921 if possible. Don't hesitate to purchase this one.