Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Bourbon Batch A118

N: Lots of wood. Mahogany wood, cigar smoke, well-worn leather, cedar cigar box, wood varnish, almond extract. Caramel, cinnamon, vanilla frosting. Ethanol - unsurprisingly. There's another chemical note in it that reminds me of pool water with chlorine, but much softer. It's actually interesting, not off-putting. Some very ripe orchard fruit very deep in the background - basically buried under mounds of caramel and bourbon barrels. Late into the pour, a distinct hit of orange popped out of nowhere. P: Sweet corn, caramel, sticky bread, toffee, vanilla. Dark bread, peanuts, almond butter, and a dark red fruit jam. Plenty of sweet oak. Sticky, heavy, gooey cinnamon syrup, which combines, in the finish, with the vanilla and bread notes to land at something like a deconstructed cinnamon roll. Might be some hints of orange citrus behind all the cinnamon. Lots of oak in the finish as well. Touch of bitterness lingers, but this one is almost all sweet, sweet, sweet - caramelized brown sugar, vanilla, and caramel ride this one to the end. Rich, heavy, sumptuous mouthfeel. Neat or even with one ice cube (my preference for adding water), it's like it coats your tongue and then melts away leaving lots of charred barrel heat. While I kind of enjoy that feeling, it doesn't do much for me on the flavor side. I added a second cube for the review, and then poured in another drop or two of whiskey to balance it. (Used a Canadian Glencairn.) This is a fine whiskey, but it feels to me like it needs one more note. It has tons of wood and caramel - I want something to balance against that - red fruit or smoke or citrus. I don't even think I care much what it would be, because what's here is great, but I've had better bourbons and better cask strength/barrel proof bourbons. And they're usually better because they go beyond wood and caramel, which are basically par for the course in bourbon. This is a fantastic par round, but still just a par round. But I hear more recent batches are even better. I'd be down to try it again.

Purchased this 750ml bottle today at Mike's Liquors in Forest Heights, MD. It was an enjoyable experience; I appreciate the bulletproof glass. Perhaps relying on Google reviews for the "best liquor store in Maryland" was an inherently flawed approach. Poured neat into a Glencairn glass at home. The aroma is nutty, toasty, spicy, and carries some heat. The taste begins with a sharp bite, followed by vanilla, oak, spice, and grains. A long-lasting nutty spice burn is present, along with a distinct bitterness. It's good, but I don't love it, and the bitterness is too pronounced for my liking. Added three drops of water: The aroma now reveals vanilla and caramel; the spice remains strong, but the bitterness has subsided with the caramel becoming more apparent. It's significantly improved. This might be the first bourbon where adding a small amount of water not only enhanced its character but nearly eliminated an off-note. For instance, adding a few drops of water to George T. might reveal more complexity and soften the heat, but there were no significant perceived flaws to correct with water (in my opinion). Here, the addition of water not only amplified the character but actually rectified the flaw. Neat: 3.5. With 3 drops added: 4.0. Instead of averaging, I'll assign the higher score due to the minimal water used. 8/14/19

Barrel select (ACE Spirits): Neat, it's too much. Over ice, it's much more enjoyable. Bold taste and character

A good, substantial pour that delivers a lot of flavor. I prefer this over a serving of Stagg Jr.

An overwhelming oak presence! Flavors of vanilla and mint, followed by a long, peppery, minty finish.

Chocolate, caramel, a touch of spice.