Elijah Craig Barrel Proof (Batch B524) Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

65.3% ABV (130.6 Proof), 750 ml, Aged 11 Years, 2 Months

"Bubble gum, vanilla taffy, creamed corn, honeyed Cream of Wheat, and leather on the nose. The palate offers red berries, cinnamon, chocolate babka, and pepper spice. Overall, the texture is smooth and it holds its proof well as the flavors hum. On the finish, orange, aged oak, chicory, and a rush of hot cocoa, all reveal quality in depth and integration. This is a superb whiskey, big, flavorful, and complex." David Fleming for the Whisky Advocate, 94 Points

(On each bottle is an A, B, or C to indicate whether it was the first, second, or third release of the year. After the letter comes a number. This represents the month, and the last two numbers in the batch number are the year. That means this bottle, batch B524, is the second release of 2024, and came out in July.)

Review of B524 by Breaking Bourbon:" . . .Batch B524 is the second batch of 2024, and the fourth batch that does not carry the previous generic 12 year age statement, instead dialing directly into the batch exact age detailed down to the month. Previous specifically age stated batches were aged for 11 years and 5 months, 13 years and 7 months, and 10 years and 9 months, making the average age over the four specifically age stated Elijah Craig Barrel Proof batches released so far approximately 11 years and 9 months, just shy of the 12 year mark. Fans might wonder if this signals an overall downward trend in age, or if there just aren’t enough data points yet. Looking at 2023’s releases, it wouldn’t be surprising if the last batch of 2024 carried another shockingly high age statement as it did with 2023’s third release.

Batch B524 is traditionally inspired and bold, starting with a robust aroma of peppery oak, cigar box, raisin, and baking spices. Heavily charred oak, tobacco, graham cracker, and caramel emerge on the palate, which tones the intensity down a notch though it remains as potent as expected for the proof. Baking spices, caramel, and aged oak define the bourbon’s long, otherwise straightforward finish. . . ."