Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Batch B521

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 without chill filtration. Three batches are put out every year, and this particular one is the second batch for 2021. Taking a closer look at the name B521, the “B” denotes that it is the second batch of the year, “5” is the month that it was released in (May), and “21” signifies the year it was released in. Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Batch B521 is bottled at 118.2 proof and has a retail price of around $70 USD.

(Tasted neat from a Glencairn Glass)

Color

Dark Gold

Nose

Crème brûlée, vanilla, egg custard, nutmeg, and a faint hint of pumpkin pie.

Palate

Super oily mouthfeel with notes of dark ripe cherries, brown sugar, baking spice, baking cocoa, and coffee.

Finish

Long and rich with continued notes of chocolate, coffee, orange liqueur, caramel, brown sugar, and a light dusting of cinnamon.

In closing

Despite being quite a bit lower in proof than other Elijah Craig Barrel Proof releases, B521 absolutely doesn’t disappoint. The alcohol on this bourbon is very well integrated, making it seem much lower than 118.2 proof and dangerously drinkable! Elijah Craig Barrel Proof B521 sticks out from other batches, as it’s not nearly as cinnamon, cherry, and oak forward as previous releases. No complaint from me though, seeing that this batch is absolutely fantastic and lives up to the quality we all now expect from Elijah Craig Barrel Proof. In short, this is a remarkable bourbon at an exceptional value.

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.