Category: Bourbon Whiskey

Hannah’s Elijah Craig Barrel Proof B521 Review

Original review written on September 21, 2021

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

A good blend, unique flavors, an enjoyable pour, and another good offering from Elijah Craig Barrel Proof. Is it worth $70 USD though? I’m not entirely sure, to be honest. 88/100

VITALS:

– 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
– Non-chill filtered
– Barrel Entry Proof: 125 proof
– ABV: 59.1% (118.2 proof)
– Price: $69.99 USD in Idaho

For more information, visit heavenhill.com

ENJOYMENT METHOD:

I enjoyed the juice neat from a Glencairn glass with father and fellow Whiskey for the Ages, Brian.

Check out his review for this bourbon here!

SETTING:

I imagine ECBP Batch B521 could very easily be enjoyed in an Italian restaurant. The sounds and rich smells, tastes, and colors pair well with this bourbon and would be sure to go well with any delicious pasta or oil for bread. Make sure you don’t hesitate to get another pour!

Photo by Des Récits on Unsplash

NOSE:

Black pepper, allspice, and cherries bloom from the glass on the first inhales. Other dark fruits, like plums and raisins are present, along with syrupy sweetness like honey still in the honeycomb, caramel, and dark vanilla. The oak is rich and sweet and certainly plays a large role in marrying all of the aforementioned flavors together. There is a hint of a nutty earthiness at the tail end of the inhale, but I wouldn’t be able to hazard a guess as to which nut it is. The alcohol is surprisingly mild for a proof this high, but it can bite if you are not careful all the same.

I usually find most Elijah Craig noses to be solely spicy, and while this does somewhat match that assumption, there is so much more complexity with fruit than I anticipated. I am very much looking forward to this glass.

PALATE:

– Mouth Feel: At the tip of the tongue, this is mellow; however, it becomes quite textured at the back of the palate.
– Balance: Solid balance. It’s complex and rich in spices and unique flavors that all come together to be surprisingly cohesive.
– Visual: Terracotta in color, a defined crown emerges, though there are few legs or droplets that cling.

– Taste: I’m surprised already by how long I can hold this at the tip of my tongue without getting an alcohol burn. Despite the minimal burn, spice still comes across the strongest on the palate, black pepper and even red peppercorns being the predominant flavors. And they are dominant enough that they even aggravate the back and roof of the palate slightly.

I get a bit of the caramel (now burnt) from the nose, as well as sudden black licorice (mild I promise), and a crispness of water chestnuts. The water chestnuts seem peculiar with these flavors, but note that it is less of a flavor and more of a sensation of crispness. Other sweetness comes from a honey glaze and a bittersweet floral element, like rose.

The oakiness of B521 is almost raw in its woodiness – completely unprocessed, and as if it is just chopped. Nevertheless, it isn’t a particularly strong flavor and sits as a background flavor more than anything. The alcohol, as stated, is still mild at the front of the palate and raspy at the back. However, when I do a Kentucky chew, the oak and black pepper become even stronger – the pepper sending needles into the tongue with the alcohol. It’s also after this chew that I realize this has a very strong potential to give a Kentucky hug as well. As such, this bourbon definitely warrants caution, despite not being overtly aggressively with its initial burn.

FINISH:

– Lasting Power: Long. The heat stays at the back of the palate and leaves also a lasting impression of flavor.
– Between Sips: Oak is the strongest here, and in fact, there really isn’t another strong flavor accompanying it. It’s solid oak, but not old, rather quite new.

– No More: This becomes slightly more mellow throughout the glass, I am finding. The oak is present, but many of the other flavors are now very subdued and they blend together well.

The empty Glencairn is a sweet, caramelly oak, which is different from the usual empty Glencairn I enjoy. Nevertheless, this smells great and every bit of delicious.

WORTH THE PRICE?

If you like Elijah Craig Barrel Proofs, you already know that you’re adding B521 to your collection. At $70, ECBP lovers are going to grab this regardless, just to say they’ve tried it (me!). But if you are looking for the best representation of ECBP, I’m not entirely sure you’ll find it with Batch B521. This is a very good bourbon, don’t misunderstand me. I like it, and I will enjoy it again when I have another pour. But if you are pinching pennies, I might wait for another iteration of ECBP, which come three times a year. However, if you love uniqueness, and general bourbon warmth (something I can arguably find in less expensive bottles), you won’t be disappointed grabbing this one.

ELIJAH CRAIG BARREL PROOF B521 REVIEW RATING: 88/100

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