whiskeyfortheages, Author at Whiskey for the Ages

Elijah Craig Small Batch 2019 Idaho Batch #2 Review

Posted on 10-May-202128-June-2022 by whiskeyfortheages

Hannah’s Elijah Craig Small Batch 2019 Idaho Batch #2 Review

Original review written May 4, 2021

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

If you like wood-forward and grain in your bourbon, Idaho Batch #2 would be great for a collection. It’s a little bland otherwise, but it’s still palatable.

VITALS:

Elijah Craig Small Batch 2019 Idaho Batch #2 Review

– Made In: Louisville, Kentucky, USA
– Distiller: Heaven Hill Distillery
– Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey; Small Batch
– Age: 12 yrs.
– Mash Bill: Corn=78%; Rye=10%; Malted Barley=12%
– Casks: Char #3
– Barrel Entry Proof: 125 proof
– Barrel Serial Number: #25164391
– Warehouse: KK-4 (Schenley)
– Vintage Year: 2007
– ABV: 47% (94 proof)
– Price: $29.95 USD in Idaho (2019)

Visit heavenhill.com for more information

ENJOYMENT METHOD:

I enjoyed the juice neat with my sister, and father and fellow Whiskey for the Ages reviewer Brian.

Check out his review of this bourbon here!

SETTING:

I feel like this bourbon invites contemplation. Sit on the step of a stairwell, leaning against the railing in utter quiet, and let the simplicity of Batch #2 surround you in your peace.

Photo by Serhat Beyazkaya on Unsplash

NOSE:

I get a caramelly, fruit bouquet on the first inhale, with figs and prunes being particularly pronounced. There is also a dash of black pepper that makes for a bit of spice and heat, while there is a strong element of dusty and roasted corn too. Deep inhales coax out a deep vanilla, a pastry and perhaps some pecans, though they are subtle. I wouldn’t rule out other nuts either, though I’d say they were soft. It’s even possible that it could be a brown butter that is contributing to the nuttiness.

Batch #2 is quite complex, and the alcohol seems a bit more intense than just a simple 94 proof. It’s welcoming and warm, and certainly very Heaven Hill-esque.

PALATE:

– Mouth Feel: Silky, but also slightly watery. It’s not bad, but it’s not great either.
– Balance: It’s a wood and grain forward bourbon, and while I’d like a bit of spice or fruit to back it up, I wouldn’t say it’s unbalanced. … just a little one-hit-wonder.
– Visual: Honey in color, there are long, fat legs that drop into the pool quickly, but the trails linger for some time.

– Taste: Grain comes across the palate first, and not just in a corn variety, but also in a just plain grassy way. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it is surprising given that there was such an abundance of sweet flavors on the nose. The fruit is here, but it seems light and not like the figs originally found. In fact, it seems more like green grapes now. The vanilla and pastry are gone, now replaced by a simple syrup instead. An argument could be made for a white breadiness, but it’s not sweet at all – rather more chewable.

I will say, there is significantly more wood here than there was on the nose. The oak is soft and yet still forward, mixing with a sprinkling of white pepper. The white pepper isn’t hot, and the bourbon doesn’t bite. A Kentucky chew makes the grass and grain more raw in flavor, but there is a sudden, quick burst of cherry here. It disappears quite quickly though.

FINISH:

– Lasting Power: Medium. I’m not convinced the warmth lingers very strongly, but the aftertaste does stick around for a while.
– Between Sips: There is a distinct taste of white bread between sips and some more of that grain. It does seem a little flat and one-dimensional, but it isn’t bad.

– No More: It does get a little sweeter the further into the glass I get, but it still isn’t anything that makes me extra excited. I think the sweetness is still coming from the bread, and maybe that’s why… fine, but not great overall.

The empty Glencairn is full of sawdust and is very warm and rich. It’s a shame that the taste couldn’t have more of this edgy wood quality to it. But it’s a solid bourbon, if not perhaps a little boring.

WORTH THE PRICE?

At $30, I don’t think we were robbed by any means. This bourbon, as it is a state pick (and one from two years ago, I must add), is exceedingly rare. But I don’t think I’d pay much more than $30 for this offering. It’s decent, but I’ve enjoyed other $30 bourbons and even ryes a bit more than this one.

ELIJAH CRAIG SMALL BATCH 2019 IDAHO BATCH #2 REVIEW ATING: 84/100

Click to see Hannah’s rating process

Click 84/100 to access other whiskies with this rating.
To access other whiskies from this brand, click Elijah Craig.

Back to…

Hannah’s Whiskey Reviews
Whiskey Reviews

Elijah Craig Small Batch Private Barrel – ISLD Batch 2, 2019 Bourbon Review

Posted on 10-May-202128-June-2022 by whiskeyfortheages

Brian’s Elijah Craig Small Batch Private Barrel – ISLD Batch 2, 2019 Bourbon Review

Elijah Craig Small Batch Private Barrel, Batch 2 reviewed 04-May-2021

ELIJAH CRAIG SMALL BATCH PRIVATE BARREL – ISLD BATCH #2, 2019 REVIEW:

From time-to-time, we shuffle our bunker and find a true unicorn. Elijah Craig Small Batch Private Barrel – ISLD Batch 2, 2019 (ECSB PB – ISLD B2) is an example. One might ask, why even post a review on something no longer available, or from a bottle most people will never enjoy? Fair questions to be sure. As a store pick whiskey, it is important to be mindful of what can be had if one takes the time to look. So when you see a bottle labeled as a “Private Barrel”, take one home.

ELIJAH CRAIG SMALL BATCH PRIVATE BARREL – ISLD BATCH #2, 2019 VITAL STATS:

Category: Small Batch Private Barrel
Region: Louisville, Kentucky, USA
Distillery: Heaven Hill Bernheim Distillery
Mash Bill: 78% Corn, 10% Rye, and 12% Barley
Barrel Char: #3
Barrel Serial #: 25164391
Warehouse: KK-4 (Schenley)
Vintage Year: 2007
Age: 12 Years Old
Barrel Entry Proof: 125 proof
ABV: 47 (94 Proof)
Price: $29.95 (September 2019 in Idaho)
Availability: Highly limited, sold out

ELIJAH CRAIG SMALL BATCH PRIVATE BARREL – ISLD BATCH #2, 2019 BACK STORY:

On occasion, certain barrels aged in Heaven Hill’s Bardstown, KY, USA rickhouses destined to become Elijah Craig Small Batch bourbon outshine others. When this happens, privileged vendors are given the opportunity to purchase the contents of these special casks. The selected barrel is then dumped, bottled in personalized packaging and delivered to the purchasers account for distribution.

Cask 25164391 was one of these barrels. Made available in 2019, it was purchased by the Idaho State Liquor Division (ISLD) for exclusive sale to its Idaho patrons.

Learn more at https://heavenhill.com/.

ENJOYMENT METHOD:

For the evaluation, I shared the whiskey neat from Glencairn glasses with my daughter and fellow Whiskey for the Ages reviewer Hannah.

Check out her review for this bourbon here!

ELIJAH CRAIG SB PRIVATE BARREL – ISLD B#2, 2019 NOSE:

When first brought to my nose, ECSB PB – ISLD B2 has little ethanol burn, but light fruit tree blossoms, sweet corn and a fresh hit of mint come through as well. I also get apple cider, Maraschino cherries and fresh grated citrus zest mixed in light ginger, white pepper and rye as vanilla custard, hard candy, simple syrup, and candy corn blend with light oak and a slight piney woodiness.

ELIJAH CRAIG SB PRIVATE BARREL – ISLD B#2, 2019 PALATE:

In the mouth, ECSB PB – ISLD B2 has a pleasant but slight ethanol burn. The Heaven Hill herbal funk is fresh, as mint, soft apples and citrus zest mix with cinnamon, cloves, pepper and rye. Batch 2’s fresh spiciness dominates the light vanilla and sweets of hard candy, simple syrup, and cinnamon spiced almonds as dry and hazy barrel char fade.

Balance, Body, Feel and Look:
ECSB PB – ISLD B2 is a solid bourbon and to me much better than readily available Elijah Craig Small Batch. While it is simple, it’s buttery smooth mouthfeel and freshness is a welcome change from the bourbons I usually drink. Each sip is easy to hold and as the Glencairn is set down, irregularly spaced clinging legs transport the liquid back to the honey colored pool to leave a broken crown.

ELIJAH CRAIG SB PRIVATE BARREL – ISLD B#2, 2019 FINISH:

ECSB PB – ISLD B2 finishes short on flavors but has a nice lingering warmth. Before fading, each sip has Heaven Hill herbalness with but with enhanced fruit tree blossoms and the ever-present hint of mint and citrus zest. Cinnamon and pepper dominate, but faint brown sugar caramel plays hide and seek among dry and hazy oak barrels. And when the last dram is downed, seasoned dry oak drifts from the empty Glencairn.

MY ELIJAH CRAIG SMALL BATCH PRIVATE BARREL – ISLD BATCH #2, 2019 RATING: 89/100

Will I buy this whiskey again? YES
While this bottling will never be on store shelves, I will buy Elijah Craig Private Barrel offerings when found.
_{Click to read Brian’s scoring process.}

Click 89/100 to access other whiskies with this score.
To access other whiskies from this brand, click Elijah Craig.

ELIJAH CRAIG SB PRIVATE BARREL – ISLD BATCH #2, 2019 TRAITS AND FLAVOR NOTES AND PROFILE GRAPH:

Back to …

Brian’s Whiskey Reviews
Individual Reviews

Larceny Barrel Proof Batch A121 Review

Posted on 03-May-202128-June-2022 by whiskeyfortheages

Hannah’s Larceny Barrel Proof Batch A121 Review

Original review written April 27, 2021

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

Incredibly complex bourbon that brings heat, uniqueness and quality, all at a reasonable price. I definitely recommend Larceny Barrel Proof Batch A121. 93/100

VITALS:

– Made In: Kentucky, USA
– Distiller: Heaven Hill Distillery
– Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey; Wheated Bourbon
– Age: nas (Heaven Hill states batches will contain 6 to 8 year old bourbon)
– Mash Bill: Corn=68%; Wheat=20%; Malted Barley=12%
– Casks: Char #3
– Barrel Entry Proof: 125
– ABV: 57.4% (114.8 proof)
– Price: $49.95 USD in Idaho

For more information, visit heavenhill.com

ENJOYMENT METHOD:

I enjoyed the juice neat with father and fellow Whiskey for the Ages reviewer, Brian.

Check out his review of this bourbon here!

SETTING:

The texture of this one begs to be enjoyed beach side, with warm sand surrounding you and a crisp, salty air on your tongue with Larceny A121. It’s hot; waves are crashing; gulls are crying and this bourbon might as well be the center of the universe. The sun could be anywhere – it doesn’t really matter with this one. Just raise a toast to Mother Nature, and you’re good.

Photo by Ethan Robertson on Unsplash

NOSE:

Immediate impressions are that this has a dark molasses sweetness to it along with currants, black pepper, and dusty and smoky grains. There is a briny quality to this also that mixes with a roasted/salted peanut that certainly makes the mouth water. I find a strange essence here too, almost like… broccoli? But not in the sense of a hate vegetable, rather isolate the slight pepperiness that comes with the broccoli.

The longer I nose, the more a red hot candy and cinnamon flavor emerges, which is certainly unique and not found in too many other whiskeys we have had. The alcohol tinge is stronger than I would anticipate from a wheated bourbon – especially since the ABV is relatively moderate. It should be noted that this alcohol bite could be from the red hot candy sensation too.

Overall, I’d say that this is quite a complex nose, and it certainly is very inviting.

PALATE:

– Mouth Feel: There is a textured raspy quality to this that makes each sip interesting and keeps me going back for more.
– Balance: There are a LOT of flavors going on here, and yet, I feel like the balance is completely solid and certainly very complex.
– Visual: Tawny in color, there are long, clinging legs that break off from a ring/would-be crown.

– Taste: The dusty grains come across the palate first, and it is almost as though the grain is still raw, and I can taste the stems and seeding pods at the top. The black pepper from the nose has mellowed into a more undefinable pepper, but the bite is definitely still to be found. I can also detect a sweet bitterness, perhaps a burnt caramel that chases after the pepper with the faintest hint of yellow sponge cake.

Strangely enough, there is also an almond component to this in the way of barely-there sweetness and as a layer of richness. It blends well with the wood of this bourbon, which I would say is distinctly oak and strong, charred oak at that.

There is less fruit here on the palate, which is a bit of a shame, save maybe for seasoned raisins or dried prunes. Nevertheless, it’s still very rich with its spices, which contribute quite well to the alcohol burn that is still surprising to me with its 114 proof. A Kentucky chew makes the dark, dried fruits even stronger and brings out stronger flavors of allspice.

FINISH:

– Lasting Power: Medium. The warmth definitely lingers around for a while, along with a subtle aftertaste.
– Between Sips: I think the grains are the most noticeable between sips, but there is a fruit that wants to be there that doesn’t seem quite as dark as the fruits noted on the actual taste. It’s very enjoyable!

– No More: It does seem to get a little more bitter the further into the glass I get, but I don’t think it reduces the quality of this bourbon in the slightest. The blend is still solid, and if anything, I think this bitterness (which seems to come from walnuts?) only enhances the complexity of this pour.

The empty Glencairn is a spicy oak with black pepper and rich warmth. A great way to finish a great bourbon.

WORTH THE PRICE?

Like my other reviews thus far on Larceny Barrel Proofs, I find this one incredibly enjoyable for something priced at $50, a higher proof, AND a wheated bourbon. I think this line fills a gap in the bourbon industry, and are definitely must-haves in bunker collections. With such unique, complex flavors to offer, it’s impossible to go wrong picking up a bottle of Larceny A121.

LARCENY BARREL PROOF BATCH A121 REVIEW RATING: 93/100

Click to see Hannah’s rating process

Click 93/100 to access other whiskeys with this rating.
To access other whiskies from this brand, click Larceny.

Back to…

Hannah’s Whiskey Reviews
Whiskey Reviews