Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Bourbon Batch B517

A look at three well-regarded Elijah Craig Barrel Proof releases: B517, recognized by a publication as the year's best; B520, considered by many to be among the finest ECBP expressions; and C923, recently given a high score and much praise from the bourbon community. How do they stack up? ELIJAH CRAIG BARREL PROOF B517 Deep orange mahogany hue. The complex aroma offers cocoa, candied orange peel, treated leather, caramel, vanilla, preserved cherries, scorched wood, a dusty note reminiscent of Wild Turkey, grape jam, and spearmint. The liquid has a pleasant weight, featuring sweet wood and caramel. The robust taste profile manages the alcohol well, leading to a lengthy finish with crème brûlée and ample oaky vanilla. While there's discussion about whether a publication's top pick is pure marketing or a genuine assessment, the chosen spirit is usually quite good, and the ECBP B517 certainly fits that description. It boasts considerable complexity, a high yet well-incorporated proof, and a fair price given its quality. Current ECBP bottlings retail for $85. Would I purchase it again? Absolutely. This represents outstanding value in the bourbon market. Score: 4.5 (compared to my previous 4.25). 124.2 proof. 12-year age statement. Non chill filtered. ELIJAH CRAIG BARREL PROOF B520 Deep mahogany color, slightly darker than the B517. The incredible aroma presents chai tea, milk chocolate, strawberry preserves, cocoa, graham cracker, cappuccino, citrus zest, cherry pie filling, spiced cider, spearmint, and maple syrup, all without any discernible alcohol presence. The palate has a light, slick texture, with a sweet finish full of cinnamon candies and vanilla extract. The aroma of the ECBP B520 is exceptionally intricate. As I sampled each release sequentially and cycled back through them, I detected unique fragrant notes from the B520. It possesses both strength and elegance. As mentioned, current ECBP bottlings are available for $85. Would I buy it again? Without hesitation. Score: 4.75. 127.2 proof. 12-year age statement. Non chill filtered. ELIJAH CRAIG BARREL PROOF C923 A blend of burnt orange and mahogany, a touch lighter than the B520. Immediately upon nosing, the C923 delivers a pervasive warmth. Citrus oil leads, followed by cedar, Chinese five-spice, dust, apples, zesty BBQ sauce, soy sauce, and a hint of menthol. Similar to the B520, there's no alcohol sting on the nose. The texture is comparable, though the palate is not quite as sweet as the B520. The high proof becomes apparent towards the end, evolving into a finish with brown sugar, oaky vanilla, dry leather, and a strong warmth. For the third time in this review: where else can one find a bourbon with such a high proof, complexity, and robust flavor profile? There's a good reason the bourbon community is enthusiastic about the ECBP C923. Would I buy it? Yes. Score: 4.75. 133 proof. 13 year, 7 month age statement. Non chill filtered. METHODOLOGY Approaching high-proof spirits requires caution, even for those who enjoy extremely high proof whiskeys. Initial sips can be intense, and it takes a few moments for the palate to adjust before genuine tasting can commence, typically requiring a 10-12 minute acclimation period. For this comparison, I first assessed the aroma of each sample, taking small sips and noting a single descriptive word or short phrase for each before moving to the next. This continued until I had exhausted all discernible characteristics. I then tasted each spirit, recording the flavor and finish similarly. This process was repeated, and then again the following evening, before I began composing the detailed descriptions. CONCLUSION These three ECBP bottlings, spanning six years, demonstrate a consistent quality. Each release shares commonalities and overlapping flavor notes. As a friend has pointed out elsewhere, variations between different batches of the same bourbon can be subtle. The primary distinctions here lie not in the flavor profiles themselves, but in their intensity and presence on the nose, palate, and finish, as well as how the alcohol integrates, regardless of the stated proof. Essentially, it comes down to power and balance. The B517 is very good, and I'm pleased to have a couple more bottles stashed away; however, despite its intensity and complexity, it falls slightly short of the B520 and C923. This is not faint praise, as the B520 and C923 are truly exceptional. The B520 is exquisite; each time I revisit it—having sampled extensively between the three over the last two days—I discover something new. The C923 is the most potent of the trio. Its proof is marginally higher, which is noticeable as it should be, and it offers an outpouring of flavor that engulfs your senses. It evokes the richness found in spirits like William Larue Weller or George T. Stagg. It's opulent, but not overbearing. It presents a refined weight, akin to a luxurious shearling coat. It commands attention without apology, and its significant warmth serves as a reminder of its presence. However, the C923 lacks perfect equilibrium. Its sheer robustness doesn't quite harmonize with the 133 proof. If the alcohol were more seamlessly integrated, the C923 would achieve a perfect score. But in this competition, the B520 emerges victorious by a narrow margin. All spirits were tasted neat in a Glencairn glass. (Note: This entire review is presented with each whiskey for comparative purposes; the reviews appear in the same sequence as the whiskies are listed initially.)

Elijah Craig Barrel Proof (ECBP) is a preferred bourbon. Heaven Hill, the maker of Elijah Craig, puts out ECBP three times annually (January, May, September), marked with a four-character code: January is “A1” (A for the first batch; 1 for January); May is “B5” (B for the second batch; 5 for May); and September is “C9” (C for the third batch; 9 for September). The last two characters represent the last two digits of the year. Hence “B517” is the second batch, in May, of 2017. Every ECBP has a 12-year age statement, and the proof generally spans from around 120 to almost 140. Drinker beware. I conducted a side-by-side tasting of ECBP B520 and A122 on June 25, 2022; this comparison is between B517 and C917. B517 (62.1% ABV): Appearance is a clear, dark orange mahogany. Initially, the aroma was reserved compared to the C917, but it developed with aeration. The anticipated ethanol (this is barrel-proof bourbon) is balanced with notes of root beer concentrate, mown hay, maple syrup, Thai basil, toasted marshmallow, vanilla cake, and spearmint. Cinnamon red hots and espresso linger on the finish, accompanied by some drying tannins and vanilla. Rated 4.25. C917 (65.5% ABV): Appearance is a clear, dark orange mahogany; identical to the B517. However, the aroma immediately stands apart: it is much more vibrant and lively, presenting candy apple, cola, chocolate-covered cherries, and vanilla with captivating intensity. The palate is similarly bold, adding sweet pipe tobacco. The vanilla finish is exceptionally long. The remarkable aromas and palate intensity more than compensate for the high proof. Exceptional; few spirits reach these levels. Rated 4.75. Comparing the two reveals a notable difference. The B517 is quite good, but it lacks the depth and range of the C917. If the B517 is a Porsche 911, the C917 is a GT3 RS. This distinction is considerable. Despite these variations, the consistent quality and immense enjoyment both bottles deliver confirm why I add every ECBP release to my collection, regardless of prior tasting. Regardless of batch, bourbon enthusiasts can expect reliable excellence. With widespread (though seasonal) availability and a retail price around $80, ECBP offers outstanding value in today's increasingly unpredictable bourbon market. Note: All spirits tasted neat in a Glencairn glass.

It has a deep, dark coppery orange appearance with good legs. The aroma is delightful, featuring abundant oak, some caramel, spicebox, cinnamon, dark fruit, and vanilla. The taste mirrors the smell, with pronounced oak, more spicebox, cinnamon, and similar notes, a touch of dark fruit, additional oak, and vanilla. Much like the standard Elijah Craig, it's heavily oaked, but this iteration feels more harmonized with the other components, which is intriguing. The texture is rich, full-bodied, and quite potent. To be clear, considering my inexperienced palate for spirits, this isn't the most intense drink I've had, but its strength is evident. In summary, it's a welcome improvement over the original expression, and ranks among the superior barrel strength releases I've sampled (clearly better than younger options like Booker's or Stagg Jr.). Thoughts from a beer enthusiast: The barrels from EC12 are highly regarded by craft beer makers. They historically played a role in BCBS (though their barrel program is so extensive now, it's hard to say for sure). Interestingly, one of the most dependable beers aged in EC12 barrels, FiftyFifty's purple waxed Eclipse variety, seemed less common in the latest release. I'm uncertain if this is due to a shortage of barrels, consequences of losing the age statement, or most likely, just FiftyFifty's choice to evolve. This year's selection included many added ingredients like maple, coffee, and vanilla, as well as barrels from apple brandy, rye, and even mead. Regardless of the reason, if a beer indicates aging in Elijah Craig barrels, it generally signifies quality. The barrel proof version is likely too costly for homebrewing purposes (the standard expression would be excellent for that), but it will be a fine addition to my infinity bottle down the line.

The aroma is rich with toasted oak, vanilla, peanuts, leather, rye spice, and hints of brown sugar. It presents as very full and inviting, almost like a sweet confection. The taste is robust, dry, and substantial, immediately coating the mouth with charred oak and a significant burst of baking spices and cherry. It's quite potent yet flavorful, with subsequent sips revealing more complexity. The sweeter nuances of vanilla and peanuts emerge, contributing to a very bold character. Subtle caramel notes appear near the end, enhancing its luxurious quality. The conclusion is extended and spicy, leaving the mouth tingling from the spice and oak as the creamier notes recede.

Good, but not perfect. Not much different from the small batch, other than the intense proof burn. Hopefully, more flavor will emerge in the coming weeks now that the bottle has been opened.

It possesses a remarkably buttery, velvety smoothness. Very well-balanced, with just a slight hint of ethanol at the end. Abundant vanilla and a touch of spice.