Elijah Craig Barrel Select Bourbon (Heaven Hill Bourbon Experience)

Sipped neat, from the first pour. Excited to try this, as I've heard great things and I'm a fan of these small barrel bottles. It nearly ended in disaster, though. Didn't realize it was a screw top and attempted to uncork it... it almost spilled everywhere, but my quick reflexes saved it. I'm sure the extra adrenaline will only improve the tasting experience. On the nose, there's a surprising port-like note that I detected initially. This could fool me if tasted blind. Oak and buttery pie crust notes are very prominent. Sweetness like a charred creme brûlée. Some strawberry notes are present. Oh, I enjoy this. It's an Elijah Craig Barrel Proof that's less intense and oaky. The proof seems lower than 125. I'm getting a pleasant toffee flavor in the back, mixed with a hint of chocolate, reminiscent of a Heath bar. There's a lot to discern here; it's an enjoyable aroma. Its texture is velvety and quite substantial. Creme brûlée flavors come through immediately across the palate. I detect the pie crust flavor there as well. It then transitions into one of the most intensely rich caramel notes I've encountered, which further develops into chocolate before unexpectedly shifting to vanilla on the finish. There's a nice nuttiness on the finish too. Wow, the peanut butter flavor is coming through very strongly with subsequent sips. The creme brûlée notes are fading, and now it resembles a delicious buckeye candy. The nuttiness on the nose is now so dominant, I'm surprised it didn't emerge earlier. I'm also detecting a very pleasant rye flavor now. Oh man, buckeyes. I love buckeyes; they're a top 3 dessert for me. I don't recall ever describing a bourbon as tasting like a buckeye. I don't recall tasting chocolate in a Beam product before, and if I did, it was its sole distinct flavor in the experience, not combined with peanut butter simultaneously. This pour brings me joy. It's one of the finest Elijah Craig products I've had.

I regret not buying another bottle the next day I went to the distillery, but I didn't. Like others have noted, this is a very rich and sweet drink, and I really enjoyed it. I haven't had real creme brûlée, so I can't confirm if that's what I tasted, but it matched my imagination, along with toffee and butterscotch. The texture in the mouth was very thick and pleasing, and the finish was medium at best. I will say I liked it better at the start before it opened up, as the aroma seemed to become dull.

The aroma strongly announces its high proof upon first opening. Beyond that, you'll find typical Heaven Hill characteristics like vanilla and brown sugar, with just a whisper of candied apples. The palate initially presents corn, but quickly becomes dominated by a strong peppery spice. Creamed corn notes are also present, though the spice overwhelms them. The finish is a long, warm, and satisfying Kentucky embrace.

Evaluated in a blind tasting, this option finished second (only surpassed by Coy Hill). I don't recall the precise notes, as it's been a while, but I remember it having an unusual Heaven Hill character. It exhibited lighter fruit notes, seemed to drink below its stated proof, and was a very harmonious dram. I scored it 91/100. It stands out as one of the finest Heaven Hill products I've encountered. Grateful for the sample!

A companion recently returned from an extensive journey through Elijah Craig Country. Yesterday, while we were sampling some new Bourbons in the conference room, he produced this gem. This bourbon embodies all those EC characteristics, including sweet caramel toffee with notes of sweet, roasted oak. The finish is long, with very little overwhelming heat. I love this bourbon! It suits my taste profile!

The aroma is quite nutty, similar to many Elijah Craig expressions, but finishes with strawberry and oats. The palate is much spicier than the aroma suggests. Lots of nuts and oak, finishing with rye spice. The finish is medium-long, with hints of banana and black pepper.