Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel is Elijah Craig Small Batch Kentucky straight bourbon finished in a second, custom-toasted new oak barrel. It is made by Heaven Hill in Bardstown, Kentucky, and bottled at 94 proof (47% ABV).
Charred to start and toasted to finish, Toasted Barrel is twice barreled for added complexity. Once the award-winning Small Batch bourbon is fully matured, it moves into a second new oak barrel that has been toasted, not charred, where it develops even more sweet oak flavor.
The difference between charred and toasted oak matters: toasting suppresses the aggressive tannin of charred wood and draws out sweeter, spicier compounds such as caramelized wood sugars, vanilla, cinnamon and clove, layered over the classic Small Batch foundation. The result is a bourbon with delightful spice, chocolate and a hint of smoke.
It is an easy, crowd-pleasing gift for any bourbon lover.
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.
Toasting heats the inside of a barrel more gently than charring, caramelizing the wood's sugars deeper in the stave rather than blackening the surface.
Bardstown, Kentucky, is often called the Bourbon Capital of the World, home to several of the state's best-known distilleries.
A finishing barrel adds a final layer of flavor after the whiskey has matured, without changing its character as a Kentucky straight bourbon.
At 94 proof, it is strong enough to hold its own in a cocktail while staying smooth enough to sip.
Tasting Notes
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Notes: Spice, chocolate and a hint of smoke.
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Oak: Caramelized wood sugars, vanilla, cinnamon and clove.
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Base: Elijah Craig Small Batch.
Specifications
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Producer: Heaven Hill, Bardstown, Kentucky
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Style: Kentucky straight bourbon, toasted barrel finish
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Finish: Second custom-toasted new oak barrel
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Proof / ABV: 94 proof (47% ABV)
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Region: Kentucky, USA
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Size: 750ml
How to Enjoy It
Sip it neat or on the rocks, or mix an Old Fashioned or a Manhattan. It pairs with chocolate desserts, barbecue or smoked nuts.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is it finished?
In a second new oak barrel that is toasted, not charred.
What is the base whiskey?
Elijah Craig Small Batch.
What is the proof?
94 proof (47% ABV).
Explore more in our Bourbon collection.
