Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Bourbon Batch A119

A taste-off between two Elijah Craig Barrel Proof releases from 2019: A119 and B519. I'm examining whiskies from my collection that I haven't yet reviewed, specifically comparing these two batches as I couldn't find the C919 release. I've analyzed community ranking data for each triannual ECBP rating over seven years, averaging the means to establish a community average for comparison. This helps quantify how a specific release is perceived by the group relative to the overall average. Elijah Craig Barrel Proof A119 This pour presents a clear russet mahogany hue. The aroma is filled with prominent cherries, orange marmalade, caramel apples, and oaky vanilla, with a noticeable alcohol presence. The taste offers a slight creaminess, caramelized sugar, and spicy cinnamon with an alcoholic warmth. The finish lingers with tobacco, leather, toasted oak, and abundant vanilla, lasting a medium-long duration. For its price, the age statement, barrel proof, and consistent high quality of ECBP make it an excellent purchase. These bottles disappear quickly, making it hard to get all three releases each year, though I always attempt to. ECBP offers great value. This particular batch is very good: complex, robust, and close to hazmat proof without overwhelming the rich flavor. It evokes images of a campfire on a cool autumn evening, ideally with good company. Rated 4.5. My rating: 4.5 Community: average rating 4.36, z-score 0.70, sample size 270 (indicating it's moderately better than all other ECBP releases). Elijah Craig Barrel Proof B519 The color is an indistinguishable clear mahogany from the A119. The aroma starts with soft cocoa powder, followed by cherries, grilled peaches, strawberry preserves, and a hint of licorice. The palate shows some sweetness, then espresso bitterness, woody tannins, char, roasted marshmallow, and burnt caramel, finishing with vanilla. Tasted after the A119, the lower proof of the B519 is noticeable; it's a more mellow ECBP. While softer than the A119, it still possesses the strength expected of ECBP. Although the community rates this slightly below the average ECBP over the past seven years, I find it slightly better. However, it's not enough to warrant a 4.5 rating like the A119. It remains a great value, and I would certainly buy it again, as I do with every ECBP I encounter. Rated 4.25. My rating: 4.25 Community: average rating 4.23, z-score -0.23, sample size 305 (indicating it's slightly worse than all other ECBP releases). Comparing ECBP releases is akin to comparing luxury car brands; it's about subtle differences. These tasting comparisons are enjoyable and beneficial for developing one's senses. Discovering quality requires sifting through mediocrity, and I've found ECBP to be among the quality selections. Overall, the A119 is more complex and assertive, while the B519 is softer yet still complex. Both are top-tier bourbons. The A119 slightly edges out the B519 for my preference, but I will happily continue to enjoy both. Note: All spirits were tasted neat in a Glencairn glass.

This is the second barrel proof expression I've sampled from this brand. The C917 batch is among the finest spirits I've ever had. Honestly, even the standard Small Batch is quite remarkable. As an aside, I must mention this is the most potent bottle I've ever possessed, regardless of category, registering a substantial 67.6% ABV. Nose: Caramel and cocoa emerge immediately from the glass. Hints of toasted marshmallow and roasted coffee. Butterscotch is present. Some notes of dried fruit and citrus appear. Pencil shavings and a subtle touch of leather that's difficult to pinpoint specifically (somewhere between a new baseball glove and an old book cover). I even detect notes reminiscent of the carrot cake found in Henry McKenna, along with a bit of tobacco ash. Abundant cinnamon, allspice, and oak. Some barrel char is noticeable. A slight burn, but it's inviting. An excellent beginning. Palate: Caramel, vanilla, cocoa, and cola sweetness are complemented by something I can only describe as a Hawaiian Punch Gusher. It's an unusually specific descriptor, but I can't deny its presence. Carrot cake and candy corn flavors. A touch of cherry and some dried fruit. Hazelnut, almond, and perhaps some roasted pecan. The barrel char is now quite prominent. Just a hint of milk chocolate. It's very oak-forward, and some of the cinnamon, black pepper, clove, nutmeg, and allspice notes begin to surface toward the end of the palate. Finish: Black pepper, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, and allspice. Abundant oak. A true spice explosion. Caramel and vanilla, roasted coffee and tobacco smoke. Barrel char and notes of lemon and orange citrus. More carrot cake is present. Despite being a spice bomb, there's considerable depth, contributing to an exceptionally long finish. Well executed. Outstanding. 5/5. I'm uncertain if it surpasses the C917, but I can attest to its equal merit. It incorporates some of the finest elements of the C917, which is ultimately darker and richer, blending them with the sweet and zesty characteristics typically found in Henry McKenna. This batch straddles the line between two of my all-time favorites, presenting that fusion in an uncut, unfiltered, and unparalleled manner. At $75, this represents exceptional value. I would happily pay more. There is much to admire here. They seem to have moved beyond this release, as I believe it's already over a year old. If you can still find it, I strongly endorse purchasing it immediately. Following two 5-star batches, I am close to declaring ECBP among the greatest whiskey lines ever produced. Cheers!

This marks my initial encounter with Elijah Craig Barrel Proof and the highest proof bourbon I've tasted to date. The first impression on the nose is deceptively light on alcohol. I detect dried dark fruit, and with a deeper inhale, oak and alcohol notes emerge. Dominant notes of big dessert spice and sweet oak overpower the palate, much more so than the fruit noted on the nose. I also perceive vanilla and chocolate that harmonize with the spiced oak flavor. The alcohol burn is less intense than anticipated. The finish is exceptionally long and oily. Alcohol is most pronounced on the finish, where the dark fruit reappears alongside dessert spice and tannins. I typically avoid adding water to my whiskey nowadays, but given the extreme proof, I decided to experiment. After a small splash of water, the oak and alcohol become more prominent on the nose than before. The taste becomes more tannic with the addition of water, clearly accentuating the oak and alcohol flavors. In my view, it deteriorates with water, dulling the fruit, vanilla, and spice notes. Ultimately, this is a fantastic cask strength bourbon, and I intend to purchase one of the annual releases in the future. While the EC A119 isn't my favorite high-proof bourbon, its widespread availability and tremendous value are undeniable, unlike many other cask strength offerings.

I appreciate sampling spirits without preconceived notions. A generous serving of this was provided by a friend. Let's explore it... Clear bourbon-like scents are apparent, with significant oakiness as well. This suggests either significant aging (over 15 years) or exposure to intense heat (in locations like TX or NV). Some caramel notes are also present. The stated 135.2 proof doesn't come across strongly on the nose; it's subdued. Given the high alcohol content, I'll add a bit of water. Remarkable. It's no longer so muted. It arrives assertively, much like an eager college student approaching someone at a party. There's no ambiguity about this spirit's character (assuming it is indeed a bourbon, which I strongly suspect). Vanilla, caramel, and dark fruits are detectable. Oak is prominent, almost overwhelmingly so. My predictions are either Garrison Brothers Cowboy (first choice) or Elijah Craig Barrel Proof (second choice). A very distant third possibility is Barrel Bourbon. Revealing the label confirms it! It is, in fact, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof, Batch A119. This is an exceptional bourbon. The fact that I mistook it for Cowboy speaks to its quality. Many thanks to my friend for the pour!

Elijah Craig Barrel Proof was my elusive goal for a long time; it was extremely difficult to acquire. So, regarding the A119 batch: Nose - Caramel and oak. It's very sweet, yet it's a rather straightforward whiskey, featuring only those two notes intensely. Taste - More of the same. Rich and intensely oaky and caramelly, the oak is remarkably consistent. It introduces a slight bitterness but doesn't become excessive. Meanwhile, the caramel is incredibly pronounced. This perfectly exemplifies intense bourbon characteristics, but while I understand why some consider this a perfect bourbon, it doesn't quite reach that status for me. The oak seems a bit young, yet the 12 years provide an intense oak presence. It's a peculiar situation where it doesn't taste like well-aged bourbon, but there's a significant oak component. It's exceedingly sweet. This is absolutely worth the $60 price tag. However, it's not a "wow" experience, nor is it exceptionally unique in the bourbon landscape. Its perceived amazingness is partly due to a scarcity of high-quality bourbon options.

The aroma is surprisingly mild yet spicy, featuring an initial wave of charred oak, rye spice, brine, and a clear earthy quality. This nose is absolutely exceptional, among the finest I've encountered from this whiskey series. Its scent compels you to immediately want to savor it. The palate is rich and dry, with a powerful hit of pepper, charred oak, rye spice, and that distinct earthy note lingering in the background. It maintains its intensity remarkably well, even after significant aeration. This is a truly impressive characteristic for a whiskey that consistently delivers a powerful experience, regardless of the circumstances. The finish is long and produces a tingling sensation; the mouth is alive with spice and dry oak as the remaining notes gradually fade nicely, but can be revived with a chew. This is one of the more potent expressions in the collection, which is one of its defining traits. I will certainly miss this one.