This Elijah Craig is a Kentucky straight bourbon from a single barrel, hand-selected through Heaven Hill's private barrel programme and bottled at full barrel proof, 133.8 proof (66.9% ABV), after 8 years in oak.
Through its private barrel programme, Heaven Hill opens its rickhouses so individual barrels can be tasted and hand-selected, then bottled on their own, uncut and without chill filtration. Elijah Craig is named for the 18th-century Baptist preacher and Kentucky distilling pioneer, and its barrel-proof selections are among the most sought-after single barrel bourbons.
Each barrel is different, but Elijah Craig's barrel-proof character runs to concentrated caramel, dark fruit and toasted oak on the nose, with deep caramel, vanilla, oak tannin and warming spice on the palate, and a long, rich finish.
The classic Elijah Craig single barrel bottle makes it a fine gift for bourbon collectors.
At this proof, add water a few drops at a time.
Bourbon must be made in the United States from a mash of at least 51% corn and aged in new charred oak containers, and straight bourbon must be aged at least two years. Those rules give bourbon its characteristic sweetness, with caramel and vanilla drawn from the charred barrels.
Barrel-proof bourbon is bottled straight from the barrel with no water added, so its strength reflects the years the spirit spent in the rickhouse. Single barrel releases are never blended, which means every bottling carries the particular character of the warehouse position and wood it came from.
Tasting Notes
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Nose: Caramel, dark fruit and toasted oak.
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Palate: Deep caramel, vanilla, oak tannin and warming spice.
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Finish: Long and rich.
Specifications
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Producer: Heaven Hill Distillery
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Style: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, single barrel, barrel proof
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Expression / Batch: Private barrel selection
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Age: 8 years
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Proof / ABV: 133.8 proof (66.9% ABV)
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Cask / Finish: New charred American oak, single barrel
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Region: Bardstown, Kentucky
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Size: 750ml
How to Enjoy It
Serve it neat with plenty of water on the side. It pairs with pecan pie, brisket or a cigar.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a private barrel selection?
A single barrel hand-selected at Heaven Hill and bottled on its own.
How old is it?
8 years.
What proof is it?
This barrel is bottled at 133.8 proof.
Explore more in our Bourbon collection.
