Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Bourbon Batch B521

ELIJAH CRAIG BARREL PROOF SHOWDOWN: 2021 Elijah Craig Barrel Proof A121 Elijah Craig Barrel Proof B521 Still working through the spirits I have that haven't been reviewed. I have several years and releases of ECBP; however, my only full year for all three releases is 2017. For 2021, I never managed to find C921, so this showdown will pit the A121 against the B521. I've examined seven years of community ranking data for each triannual rating of ECBP, and averaged the 21 averages themselves to establish a community mean for the seven-year span of 2017-2023. This will allow us to determine what the group thinks about a particular release compared to the overall average (mean). (If you don't care about stats, you can skip the next two paragraphs). Provide more data!), I can't establish a standard deviation for a particular release. But I can compute the z-score for each particular release relative to the entire sample. The z-score is computed as follows: ((mean for the specific release minus the mean for the entire sample) divided by the overall sample’s standard deviation). This statistic shows how much better or worse a particular release is in relation to the community’s ranking of all ECBP over the sample period. Assuming a normal distribution, any z-score within +/- 1.0 standard deviation is assumed to be within “normal” limits (per the empirical rule, ~68% of the distribution is within +/- 1 standard deviation from the mean). A z-score of +/- 2 standard deviations would represent ~95% of the distribution; and +/- 3 is ~99% of the distribution. Thus a z-score of +1.5 would be a significantly better release than normal (and -1.5 would be significantly worse). A z-score of 2.0 would be better than 95% of the sample, etc. (End of stats geek stuff). Elijah Craig Barrel Proof A121 The A121 looks like a deep, dark amber, similar to Pantone 152. The nose is rich with toasted oak, peanut brittle (this came later after going back and forth between the two), cherries, pomander (both the dried orange and clove components), some corn pudding, vanilla, and a hint of anise at the end. The palate is wonderfully sweet and the alcohol is quickly noticeable at the back, bringing some spice. Charred oak, just a tiny bit of tannic bitterness, and nice vanilla on the finish. Reader beware: I’m a huge ECBP fan, and I’m certainly not alone. Where else are you going to find rich, bold flavors at 125-ish proof for $75? Larceny Barrel Proof (another Heaven Hill product) is getting there (it’s actually a little cheaper). Elijah Craig Barrel Proof has no competition in this category. Would I buy it again? Yes. Over the course of half an hour, the A121 just kept improving. It’s incredible. My rating: 4.5 Community: m=4.24, z=-0.16, n=239 (slightly worse than all ECBPs) 123.6 proof. 12-year age statement. Elijah Craig Barrel Proof B521 Like the A121, the B521 is a clear version of Pantone 152. The nose shows crème brûlée, toasted oak, clove, apple cider, and a little bit of a dusty note. The palate is sweeter than the nose, with chocolate-covered cherries. I even thought I detected a hint of pineapple, with some coconut: not quite a piña colada, but coconut isn't uncommon from oak. The alcohol seems a little more integrated (to be fair, it is 4.6 proof points lower than the A121), but the spice is present. Roasted marshmallow, a little oak, and a long finish of vanilla. This is starting to sound repetitive: complex nose, rich and robust flavors, barrel-proof strength, and $75. Would I buy it again? Yes. Every time. My rating: 4.5 Community: m=4.15, z=-0.81, n=190 (moderately worse than all ECBPs) 118.2 proof. 12-year age statement. Both of these ECBP releases are undoubtedly bourbon profiles, with the volume turned all the way up. They’re not perfect examples—my benchmarks are the 2019 William Larue Weller and George T. Stagg for higher proofs—and these fall short of that smoothness and the warm, enveloping, even soothing experiences that those bourbons offer. While I’ve listed some different descriptors—which are subjective and often overlap and aren't explicitly distinct—the two releases are more alike than they are different, and consistent with typical ECBP offerings. How many bourbons are that much better? Not many. I’ll happily savor these neat: like all ECBP releases, they provide both hedonistic and intellectual pleasure. N.B.: All spirits tasted neat in a Glencairn glass.

I've been working on finishing some bottles for too long and kept forgetting to post reviews. I finally finished this bottle of B521 today. While I'm a fan of Elijah Craig, considering it my "go-to" or "daily drinker", I can't say this is the best batch I've had. It's good, and it has that ECBP oaky char flavor that made me love Elijah Craig, but it's nowhere near the amazing taste I've experienced from other batches they've released. In typical bourbon fashion, to post the obligatory specs on this, I'll give it a quick run-through. Appearance - Does the look of bourbon really matter to me? It has that copper brown color like they all do. Am I a color/hue expert? No. When I try gins, vodkas, or blanco tequilas, do I rate them on color? No. So my rating for this bourbon on appearance is "it looks like bourbon/whiskey and I don't really care." Scent/smell - The smell is very nice. Oaky char with a hint of marshmallow that is so unique to the Elijah Craig label. I love it, in my opinion, nothing else smells the same. Maybe because I've gone through so many bottles of EC small batch, I could pick it out of a blind lineup any day (similar to how Beam has a unique scent). The scent is very pleasing for this one. Taste - Typical of an Elijah Craig, but I get some alcohol tones I just don't care for in this one. It's a lower proof release, but it's just not that flavorful. As I write this, I lowered my score by.25 thinking about that. Typically, these barrel proofs will have a lot of heat followed by a ton of flavor. This one just doesn't have the follow-up like most, so I can't love it. Overall, this was not my favorite release. I feel the scores are influenced by the influx of new bourbon enthusiasts who don't understand what older releases tasted like before Heaven Hill became a sellout, giving stores single barrel picks everywhere. I can now find store pick barrel proofs at about 10-12 stores locally, all priced close to $90, which is exactly what I hoped EC wouldn't turn into. I fear the normal releases they put out 3 times a year aren't going to be as good as some of the barrels they may sell to stores, unfortunately. But I'm not going to find out by buying 10 bottles at $90 a piece. 9/8/22

Nose: Smells exactly like pure vanilla extract; I could mistake it for sniffing a freshly opened bottle of vanilla. Notes of funky oak from the aging warehouse and salted peanut shells are present. A very subtle hint of vinegary red pepper lingers at the very back. The aroma is delightful. Palate: Surprisingly warm for the lowest proof ECBP. I detect it on the front of my tongue and the sides of my mouth. There's a pleasant baker's chocolate bitterness, though it's not typical for this expression. Tart Granny Smith apple skin is noticeable. The vanilla extract flavor settles low and flat across the back of my palate as the taste fades. Finish: A drying sensation of cocoa, oak, and vanilla on the exhale. Dusty peanut shells and abundant oak tannins are present. It's certainly not as poor as some critics suggest. It's the most vanilla-forward ECBP I've encountered. However, the cocoa powder bitterness prevents this particular batch from delivering the signature ECBP 'wow' factor. Still, ECBP remains one of my favorite whiskies for its price point (when found at MSRP). Don't worry if you missed out on this one, but definitely savor it if you get the chance or a sample. ECBP consistently impresses. Cheers!

Nose presents prominently with candied ginger, orange peel, nutmeg, cinnamon, oak, Brazil nut, rye, melon, and a hint of strawberry. A slight ethanol presence is noticeable, which is to be expected at barrel proof. Palate reveals peanut, toffee, cola, vanilla, cereal grains, sandalwood, and leather. The overall flavor profile is vibrant and zesty. Finish is extended and warm, carrying candied ginger and cinnamon from the nose, along with light barrel char, apple, bitter oak, clove, and a touch of mint. The mouthfeel is full and has a slight prickle, stopping just short of being harsh. This particular bottling isn't my preferred expression of ECBP, as it leans more towards an amplified version of EC Small Batch. I generally favor a darker, sweeter profile from this line. However, is it still good and worth the cost? Absolutely. I will always purchase ECBP, and frankly, you should too.

Nose: dried fruit and alcohol Palate: caramel, oaky tannin, and a hint of menthol, hint of roasted nuts Finish: citrus, faint cherry, oak, and mild barrel char This isn’t my favorite ECBP release. My favorites have been chewy, viscous cinnamon bombs. That said, it’s still great bourbon, and better than most you’ll find. It’s just that the ECBP releases set an insanely high bar when compared to themselves. Still absolutely worth the $69.99 price tag. I’ll always buy this when I see it, because even when it’s not at its best, it’s still very good. Edit: This bottle improves as it oxidizes: the palate turns into a sweet creme caramel bomb and the finish also picks up walnuts and shoe polish. Great complexity. Give this one time. It really improves.

The aroma is robust, presenting notes of chardoke, smoke, leather, vanilla, and peanuts, with subtle hints of apples. Numerous complexities are evident, yet each remains distinct and easily discernible. It improves significantly as it rests. The taste is dry yet substantial, featuring a blast of pepper and baking spices, followed by charred oak, smoke, and leather. Peanut and apple notes are present in the background, along with some toasted qualities. This spirit is highly potent, seeming much stronger than its stated proof. Despite its intensity, it is quite pleasing and an excellent representation of this selection. The finish is lengthy and smooth, with a spicy character and a somewhat chewy texture. The mouth retains a mild tingle alongside a diminishing creaminess.