Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Bourbon (Batch Releases)

Batch C923 Potentially the finest bottle of the year. Nose is very rich and sweet. My wife described it as 'like smelling a chocolate-covered cherry dipped in caramel.' I detect deep sweetness, perhaps overripe plum/raisin, almost like grape jelly, with notes of chocolate and macerated berries. The proof is noticeable, but less so than expected for a 133 proof spirit. Palate is definitely warm; the spice is present and appears almost immediately, yet the deep flavors still emerge strongly. The nose's profile carries over to the taste. As you approach the finish, the characteristic 'Kentucky hug' is pleasant and warming across the chest, without an aggressive burn in the throat or back of the mouth. Deep cherry and baking spice notes linger, leaving a full-bodied sensation in the mouth.

Nose- Rye, cinnamon, nutmeg 120.2 proof, batch C921 Nose-oak, vanilla, spice and red cherries. Palate- slight vanilla and oak, very slight wood smoke flavor to start that quickly gives way to a heavy dose of cinnamon and spice. Thicker/ oily mouthfeel. Finish- long lasting barrel finish. Oak/ wood notes dominate here. A rye breadiness flavor lingers the longest. If you wait long enough there is a hint of cherries. Overall- the 12 year bourbon is a great sipper. Will need to sip this at its high ABV. A very good barrel proof edition that opens up something different with each sip.

Batch B523. It's hot. At 11 years and 5 months old, the oak tannins are robust but are counterbalanced by the high proof of 124.2. Flavors include corn cereal, Macintosh apples, lemon curd, butterscotch and toffee brittle, amaretto, cinnamon stick, brown sugar, meringue cookies, candied orange peel, fresh anise, cocoa, grassy rye, nutty notes, Thai basil, and chicory coffee. Complex and powerful flavors emerge from the upper palate a week after opening. It bears resemblance to some single barrel offerings. These releases have consistently shown interesting quality over the years.

The aroma was quite alcoholic with notes of cinnamon, caramel, and oak. On the palate, it starts warm and oily, then becomes almost chewy. Cinnamon and some heat, with caramel sweetness in the middle, and an almost fruity, light finish. Very rich, complex... I'm still new and learning about bourbons, but it has a very appealing sweetness, and definitely doesn't feel like 119 proof. It's an easy drink, but certainly has some intensity. This is one of my new favorites; I'm getting into higher proof spirits.

Cinnamon, chocolate, and spice – delightful! It's hard to fathom the high alcohol content in this smooth offering from EC. The B524 barrel proof delivers heat but in a pleasant way with a lengthy finish. Sweet with hints of leather and rye, this delicious dram is potent yet smooth. An exceptional dram. I did acquire a private barrel release from my local shop, but I still favor the original barrel proof.

The aroma consists of coffee, caramel, and rye. It's very smooth for its proof and not harsh. Strong notes of cinnamon with toffee, caramel, a slight hint of vanilla, and coffee flavor. A very good bourbon that has become a favorite (Costco offers the best price).