Elijah Craig Barrel Proof

Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 12 Year Bourbon releases are bottled without any dilution or chill filtering. The batch numbers provide specific information about the release: The first letter indicates which of that year’s releases the bottle was a part of starting with “A”, while the second digit is a number that determines the month of the year the bottle was released. The third and fourth digits indicate the year. Batch C919 is bottled at 68.4% ABV.

Elijah Craig Barrel Batch proof C919 Straight Bourbon Whiskey Tasting Notes

Nose: Aromas of a great Thanksgiving spread – sweet potatoes, sage, stewed fruit, and pepper! And very nuanced for the proof as well.

Palate: The palate is coating from front to back with pepper, caramel and char. With a little water, more melon and vanilla notes emerge.

Palate: My first pass, poured neat, woke me up with its surprising heat. The high proof point of this bourbon lends itself to a bit more heat, so buyer beware. In its rawest form, this whiskey delivers sharp heat with a citrus and maple infused flavor spectrum. It is similar to drinking a chili infused crème brulé topping. There were also the distinctive flavors pulled from the oak as well as the softer, subtle whisper of roasted stone fruits such as cherry and even a bit of prune.

Vital Statistics: The proof level of the batches of Elijah Craig Barrel Proof bottlings vary. I sampled batch C919, released in September of 2019. Aged for 12 years, this batch clocked in at 136.8 proof. It ranges from around $60-$90 in price.

Finish: Long finish.

Distillery Information

Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc. is an American, private family-owned and operated distillery company headquartered in Bardstown, Kentucky and founded in 1935 that produces and markets the Heaven Hill brand of Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey and a variety of other distilled spirits.

Size: 750ML

Proof: 136.8 (68.4% ABV)

Origin: United States

Distillery: Heaven Hill Distillery