Elijah Craig Barrel Proof A119

A little background

I’ve come to the realization that in the whiskey review game there are times when I must drink and analyze whiskey that I simply do not enjoy.  Then there are times like this when I get to drink whiskey that is just top notch! Elijah Craig Barrel Proof is distilled by the venerable Heaven Hill Distillery and is released three times a year, with this batch (A119) being the first release of 2019.  Batch A119 is the highest proof expression since the Elijah Craig bottle design update at the start of 2017 at 135.2 proof and is aged for 12yrs. Retail price of around $55.

(Tasted neat from a Glencairn.)

Color:

Dark Chestnut 

Nose

Deep dark stewed fruit concentrate, cocoa, wood varnish, and funky musty oak.  Balanced out by flashes of bright lemon zest.  Amazing balance between dark and light notes that had me coming back and savoring the experience.  

Palate

Hawaiian Punch at the front of the palate that transitions to blackberry pie filling on the mid palate.  As it reaches the back of the palate very dark chocolate notes engulf the entire mouth sticking to every surface.  

Finish

The musty oak returns with an earthy quality and saffron.  Dark roast black coffee hangs around.  

In closing

Elijah Craig Barrel Proof with its age and complexity is the best value in cask strength bourbon (maybe all of bourbon) in the market today and this batch does nothing but strengthen my beliefs in that regard.  I’m going to close this review out stating that ECBP A119 is a buy on sight bottle. My only complaint is I’ve only found one bottle so far, but I know there are more out there being overlooked on liquor shelves around the country.