Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Bourbon Batch B524

Is it possible to simultaneously consider something overhyped and still enjoy it? That's often my experience with Elijah Craig Barrel Proof. Everyone seems to go wild for this, and it's good, but is it good enough to warrant that level of excitement? Perhaps some batches are. Since late 2022, I've purchased it whenever I've encountered it, trying C922, A123, B523, A124, and now B524. Do you notice anything missing? Yes, for some reason, C923, the Whisky of the Year batch, wasn't available here in Pennsylvania, at least not in my area. Around the time our typical allocation would arrive, we received one, but it was a double serving of B523. Our website doesn't list batches, so I drove over and was quite disappointed to find it was a repeat instead of what's supposed to be the ultimate ECBP batch. And perhaps my opinion on overrated is shifting with B524. The others I've listed were all quite good in their own ways, but B524, to me, is, as the youngsters say, 'fire,' and not in the sense of burning my nose and tongue. It's simply fantastic. If C923 was considered the pinnacle of ECBP, I can only imagine how good it is given my high regard for B524. Yesterday, I reviewed New Riff Single Malt, which was around 114 proof and stung the hairs in my nose, even after letting the fumes dissipate for half an hour. This is the complete opposite, approximately 130 proof and pleasant to the nose. It's rich with caramel, nutmeg, vanilla, and oak, with a particular emphasis on the caramel, which has always been one of my favorite bourbon notes. The palate is a bit spicier and showcases its proof, but it presents a cinnamon red-hots flavor, creamy vanilla, butterscotch, and oak. And this finish continues the cinnamon/nutmeg spice and lasts for an extended period. Honestly, considering we always get our ECBP at MSRP, this might be a repeat purchase for me, although I've already exhausted my whisky budget this month by buying two bottles of Larceny Barrel Proof (perhaps my favorite barrel proof until now) A124, which is also incredibly delicious and which we also get at MSRP. These bourbons are truly excelling this year (though ECBP A124 wasn't necessarily a repurchase, despite my liking it).

The aroma blends spicy, sweet, and woody elements: cinnamon sugar, clove, nutmeg, brown sugar, cedar, vanilla, leather, barrel char, and a musty rickhouse scent (unusual for ECBP). It's less nutty than other batches. The ethanol is noticeable, but expected given the 130 proof. The palate closely mirrors the aroma, with the addition of a surprising burst of stewed apple. Further notes include red hots candy, baker's chocolate, oak, pepper, and fresh leather. A sharp heat is felt on the sides of the tongue. It's quite bright, which at this proof might not be ideal for me. Wait... Apple, cinnamon, oak... sounds like Elijah Craig Small Batch amplified significantly. The extremely long finish prolongs the cinnamon bear candy sensation, accompanied by dry oak, tobacco, black pepper, a hint of grape (?), and charcoal. The mouthfeel is surprisingly on the lighter side of medium-bodied, which frankly doesn't complement the flavor profile as well as a heavier texture would have. I'm a massive admirer of this expression, but this specific bottling isn't their finest work. It lacks balance and sweetness. While the distinctiveness of each release is remarkable, it's less so when one doesn't align with personal preferences. Still, it represents incredible value at $79.99, though it's the only release of this expression that doesn't earn a 4.0/rebuy rating.

Appearance: A nice medium amber, similar to most EC batches. Smell: Amazing! Cinnamon, maple brown sugar, and holiday spices. A phenomenal aroma. Taste: (Consumed with an ice cube) This spirit is bold! It hit hard and hot on the first taste — hotter than I anticipated! Spicy, sweet, and slightly syrupy on the tongue. I can't quite recall past EC batches... but this one seems familiar. However, while some batches haven't immediately impressed me, this one has. It's potent, robust, and rather pleasing. After that initial fiery assault on the first sip, it mellowed (the ice cube might have contributed to that). Finish: Plenty of lingering spice and the tongue tingle I've come to expect from high-proof pours. This is a great batch from Elijah Craig. If I can get another after this bottle is gone, I certainly will. One last thing... I could have bought this bottle for around $70.00. But I waited for my convenient neighborhood store — that I can walk to — to stock it. As a consequence, I spent $20 more than I needed to. But I can truthfully say this was worth the extra cash to avoid having to drive to purchase it.

An amazing whiskey, consistently delightful. The aroma is intense but not overwhelming, especially for a spirit over 130 proof. A rich sweetness oscillates between McIntosh apples, toasted brown sugar, molasses, and baking spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. The alcohol's intensity tempers the sweetness, preventing it from being excessive. With time, aromas reminiscent of cherry or apple pie baking emerge. Evidently, the palate is intense but manageable for those accustomed to higher proof spirits. The intensity quickly yields to a rich sweetness that coats the entire mouth. Brown sugar and caramel are very prominent. A softer, vanilla ice cream sweetness follows in the mid-palate, along with apples. The texture is creamy, sometimes even chewy, and the finish is long and warming, leaving a tingling sensation from the high proof. Crisp autumn air and apples blossom in the finish, accompanied by considerable heat. One of my all-time favorite bourbons, and this 11yr 2m old bottling at 130.6 proof reinforces my affection for ECPB.

Allowed to rest for about 15 minutes in a Glencairn before tasting. Smell: Dark and sweet. A strong, bright cherry flavor cuts through the ethanol burn. I'm also detecting a cherry cola taste. It's heavy on the brown sugar and caramel too. Toasted oak is quite noticeable. Taste: Sweet and spicy. A fantastic chili pepper note is upfront, followed by more dark brown sugar and toasted oak. It does make me miss the fruit from the smell, but it's quite complex and distinct. Texture: As expected given the alcohol content, this is very thick. It is hot but very oily, completely coating the palate. As I continue to drink this pour, I detect more citrus / orange zest. Finish: Toasted and fairly intricate. Pleasantly warming with some lingering caramelized sugar and spice. Overall: This is truly excellent. It's well-balanced and fairly intricate. I do lean towards preferring a bit more cinnamon spice and vanilla, which I don't get a lot of here.

NEAT NOSE - Abundant caramel and vanilla. Beneath a rich oak note, there are subtle traces of cherry. The aroma is quite strong yet hints at sweetness. PALATE - Makes your mouth water. The texture is thick and chewy. Significantly improved mouthfeel compared to A124. Oak and caramel are prominent from the start to the end of the palate. The cherry makes occasional appearances, but oak and caramel truly dominate. Vanilla is certainly noticeable and not missed. FINISH - Extended, robust, and rich. WORTH BUYING? - Absolutely. This is a very well-made batch. BUY AGAIN? - It wouldn't be a bad idea to stock up on this one, but I personally won't. It's excellent, but I'll probably go for C924 instead of getting another of these.