First Impressions
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof — Whisky Advocate's 2017 Whisky of the Year (Batch B517). Named after Reverend Elijah Craig, an 18th-century Baptist preacher controversially credited as the 'Father of Bourbon' for supposedly first ageing whiskey in charred oak barrels — historians dispute the claim, but Heaven Hill leans into it.
Barrel Proof Mastery
12 years at cask strength, non-chill filtered, no water added. The ABV varies by batch — ranging from 60-68% (120-140 proof). Released in three annual batches (A/B/C plus year). Mashbill: 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley. Launched around 2012 by the legendary Parker Beam.
Tasting
Intense nose of charred oak, cinnamon, and brown sugar. Massive palate — caramel, dark toffee, vanilla bean, cherry cordial, and baking spices. The finish is long with tobacco, leather, and maple. The barrel proof delivers intensity that water-reduced bourbons simply cannot match.
The Verdict
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof earns a 9 — one of the best values in barrel-proof bourbon and a deserving Whisky of the Year. At £85 in the UK, it's serious money, but the 12 years at cask strength deliver a bourbon experience few can match. The Baptist preacher's legacy lives on in Kentucky's finest.
