Elijah Craig Barrel Proof A121

A little background

Elijah Craig Barrel Proof is a product from Heaven Hill Distillery. Named after the founder of bourbon, Reverend Elijah Craig, this whiskey packs a 12 year age statement and is bottled at barrel proof. Three batches of Elijah Craig Barrel Proof are put out every year, and this particular one is the first batch for 2021. Let’s take a closer look at the batch name. In A121, the “A” denotes that it is the first batch of the year, “1” is the month that it was released in (January), and “21” signifies the year it was released in. Elijah Craig Barrel Proof is uncut, unfiltered, and bottled straight from the barrel. This batch clocks in at a 123.6 proof, and can be found in stores for around a $60 MSRP.

(Tasted neat from a Glencairn Glass)

Color

Mahogany

Nose

Lemon, fruitcake, bazooka bubble gum, cherry, caramel, pecans, and vanilla. The nose is a total fruit bomb!

Palate

Cinnamon, tootsie roll, dried cherries, nuts, and fruitcake. Thick and delicious.

Finish

Continued cinnamon, along with dried cocoa, dates, cake, and more fruitcake components.

In closing

Simply amazing. Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Batch A121 is very complex and takes little to no effort to enjoy, as the flavors just leap out of the glass. The viscous mouthfeel is followed by a long finish that full of rich layers of dark fruits and chocolate. Elijah Craig Barrel Proof is an incredible value and consistently one of my favorite releases. Batch A121 is no exception and certainly lives up to my expectation. I’d recommend buying one for now and a second for later!

NOTE: The sample used for this review was provided at no cost courtesy of Heaven Hill Distillery. We thank them for the sample and for allowing us to review it with no strings attached.