Elijah Craig Private Barrel No. 6879511 is a hand-selected, single barrel Kentucky straight bourbon aged nine years and bottled at barrel proof, 126.6 proof (63.3% ABV).
Elijah Craig's Private Barrel programme sees individual barrels hand-selected from the Heaven Hill rickhouses in Bardstown, Kentucky, which is then bottled on its own, uncut and without chill filtering. Each barrel is unique, shaped by its place in the warehouse and its years in new charred oak, and this one rested for nine years before bottling at full strength.
Elijah Craig's barrel-proof style is known for deep amber colour, caramel and toasted oak with apple and orange, rich vanilla, caramel and butterscotch, and black pepper and cinnamon spice, though every single barrel has its own character.
A one-of-a-kind barrel at full strength, it makes a fine gift for bourbon collectors.
Sip it neat, then add water to bring the proof to your liking.
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.
Kentucky straight bourbon must be made in Kentucky from a mash of at least 51% corn, aged at least two years in new charred oak and bottled with nothing added but water.
Barrel proof means nothing has been added to the whiskey after it leaves the barrel, so its strength reflects how the spirit concentrated over nine years in the warehouse.
Elijah Craig is named after the eighteenth-century Kentucky preacher often credited with the practice of ageing whiskey in charred oak barrels.
At this strength, a little water opens up the caramel and spice.
Tasting Notes
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Style: Single barrel, barrel proof.
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Age: 9 years.
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Strength: 126.6 proof.
Specifications
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Producer: Heaven Hill (Elijah Craig)
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Style: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Single Barrel, Barrel Proof
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Expression / Batch: Private Barrel No. 6879511
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Age: 9 years
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Proof / ABV: 126.6 proof (63.3% ABV)
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Region: Bardstown, Kentucky, United States
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Size: 750ml
How to Enjoy It
Sip it neat or with water to taste. It pairs with smoked meats, pecan pie or a cigar.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Private Barrel?
A single barrel hand-selected and bottled on its own.
What proof is it?
126.6 proof, uncut barrel strength.
How old is it?
Nine years.
Explore more in our Bourbon collection.
