Home Bourbon Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Batch B524…

Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Batch B524 Review

June 12, 2024 · By Matthew Evans · 8.9 / 10
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Whiskey Consensus Score
8.9 /10
Excellent
Score Breakdown
Nose
8.9
Palate
8.9
Finish
8.9
Complexity
9
Value
8.9
Consensus Score
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Nose
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8.9
/ 10
Our Verdict
Excellent

Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Batch B524 is aged 11 years and 2 months and is bottled at the cask strength of 130.6 Proof.

The Good

  • Unique Flavor Profile for ECBP
  • Value

The Bad

  • Limited Edition
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Batch B524

A little background

Elijah Craig Barrel Proof is a product from Heaven Hill Distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky. Named after the founder of bourbon, Reverend Elijah Craig, this whiskey historically packed a 12 year age statement, however, that age statement was removed by Heaven Hill in an effort to have more variation between batches.

The good news is this product is still bottled at barrel proof without chill filtration. Three batches of Elijah Craig Barrel Proof are put out every year, and this particular one is the second for 2024. Taking a closer look at the name B524, the “B” denotes that it is the second batch of the year, “5” is the month that it was released in (May), and “24” signifies the year it was released in.

Elijah Craig Barrel Proof B524 is bottled at 130.6 Proof, has an age statement of 11 Years and 2 Months, and has a retail price of around $70 USD.

(Tasted neat from a Glencairn Glass)

Color

Dark Gold

Nose

Tangerine, caramel, coconut, cherry, nutmeg, and oak.

Palate

Cherry, walnuts, tea, cinnamon, barrel char, and oak.

Finish

Cinnamon, leather, cherry, bitter chocolate, bitter walnuts, oak, and a bit of coconut.

In closing

In conclusion, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Batch B524 offers a unique and intriguing flavor profile compared to other releases. The nose is fruity with notes of tangerine, caramel, coconut, cherry, nutmeg, and oak. The palate is drying and mouth-coating, featuring cherry, walnuts, tea, cinnamon, barrel char, and oak. The finish is long and drying, with lingering hints of cinnamon, leather, cherry, bitter chocolate, bitter walnuts, oak, and a touch of coconut. Allowing the bourbon some time to open up significantly enhances its flavors, making it a memorable and enjoyable pour for those who appreciate a distinctive, drying character.
 

Check out how B524 stacks up against other Elijah Craig Barrel Proof releases.

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.

Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Batch B524 Review

130.6 Proof
8.9

Nose

8.9/10

Palate

8.9/10

Finish

8.9/10

Complexity

9.0/10

Value

8.9/10

The Good

  • Unique Flavor Profile for ECBP
  • Value

The Bad

  • Limited Edition
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Bourbon Elijah Craig Heaven Hill Review

Every bottle on Whiskey Consensus is evaluated across five categories on a 1–100 scale. The five scores are averaged to produce a final overall score out of 10.

Nose
Aroma, complexity & first impressions
Palate
Flavor, balance & mouthfeel
Finish
Length, character & quality
Complexity
Depth, layers & evolution in the glass
Value
Quality relative to retail price
Score Rating What It Means
9.5 – 10.0ExceptionalOne for the history books
9.0 – 9.4OutstandingA benchmark expression
8.5 – 8.9GreatSeek this bottle out
8.0 – 8.4Very GoodAbove average in every way
7.5 – 7.9GoodWorth your money
7.0 – 7.4Above AverageA solid everyday pour
6.5 – 6.9AverageUnremarkable but drinkable
6.0 – 6.4Below AverageHard to recommend
5.5 – 5.9Hard PassBetter options at this price
0.0 – 5.4AvoidNot worth your time or money
Matthew Evans
About the Author
Matthew Evans
Whiskey Reviewer · Whiskey Consensus  · 538 posts

Matthew is the founder and visionary behind Whiskey Consensus. What began as a project to explore the Instagram platform and share a love for whiskey has evolved into so much more. Professionally, Matthew works in digital marketing as a solutions engineer and sales leader, bringing innovative strategies to the table. Outside of work, Matthew is an avid runner, as well as a car and watch enthusiast. He is also deeply committed to giving back to the community through various volunteer responsibilities.

More by Matthew Evans →
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