Elijah Craig Barrel Proof C918

A little background

Another day, another ECBP batch to taste and enjoy.  I must give credit to Heaven Hill for the fact that they continue to release high quality batches of 12yr old barrel proof whiskey in enough quantity that many can find without too much hassle.  ECBP checks all the right boxes for me and I have yet to be disappointed in a batch.  Batch C918 comes to me at a hefty 131.4⁰ and some high expectations after batch B518.

(Tasted neat from a Glencairn.)

Color in the glass

Dark Copper

Nose

Oaky with brown sugar, toffee, clove and a little bitter chocolate.

Palate

Exactly what I expect from ECBP…dark burnt brown sugar, caramel, vanilla, clove, and cinnamon.  Then I get a flash of red fruits that I do not normally get from the label, and it is a nice surprise.

Finish

Long and tannic.  I’m normally into a strong oak presence but the tannic notes on the finish just do not seem to play nice with the fruit notes from the palate, it’s almost as if the sudden change from the bright sweet fruit notes emphasize the bitter tannins.

In closing

Elijah Craig Barrel Proof knows its place in the bourbon world and is proud that it provides one of the (if not the only) high age cask strength experience at a price point that is far below other offerings with comparable stats.  While overall it does not quite reach the level of the batch before it C918 is still exquisite bourbon that I have personally buy any chance I get and recommend to anyone smart, or foolish, enough to talk to me.