Category: Bourbon Whiskey

Elijah Craig Small Batch 2019 Idaho Batch #2 Review

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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:
Elijah Craig Small Batch 2019 Idaho Batch #2 Review

– 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

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

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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:
Elijah Craig Small Batch Private Barrel

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.

Elijah Craig Small Batch Private Barrel

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.
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ELIJAH CRAIG SB PRIVATE BARREL – ISLD BATCH #2, 2019 TRAITS AND FLAVOR NOTES AND PROFILE GRAPH:
Elijah Craig Small Batch Private Barrel
Elijah Craig Small Batch Private Barrel

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Elmer T Lee Single Barrel Review

Posted on by whiskeyfortheages

Hannah’s Elmer T Lee Single Barrel Review

Original review written April 6, 2021

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

It’s a simple, fruit-forward bourbon that is gentle on heat and alcohol. Personally, I quite enjoy it, but if you like more heat, earth, or spice, I’d avoid this one. 87/100

VITALS:
Elmer T Lee Single Barrel Review

– Made In: Frankfort, Kentucky, USA
– Distiller: Buffalo Trace Distillery
– Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey; Single Barrel (no barrel identifying markers on bottle)
– Age: nas (varies by bottling; said to be 8-14 yrs.)
– Mash Bill: unpublished but believed to be mash bill #2: Corn=75-80%; Rye=10-15%; Malted Barley=10%
– Casks: Char #4
– Barrel Entry Proof: 125
– ABV: 45% (90 proof)
– Price: $38.00 USD in Idaho (in 2018)

For more information, visit https://www.buffalotracedistillery.com/our-brands/elmer-t-lee-single-barrel.html

ENJOYMENT METHOD:

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

Check out his review for this bourbon here!

SETTING:

Elmer T Lee Single Barrel would be a great bourbon to have on the banks of a pond covered in lilypads and life. Perhaps there are ducks or swans in the distance, peacefully eating the goods beneath the surface of the water. It’s a simple bourbon for a simple life on a pleasant day where you can lounge around and just enjoy the calm of the world.

Photo by Robert Thiemann on Unsplash

NOSE:

Bright, floral notes erupt from the glass without even needing to bring it particularly close to the nose. There is certainly a fruit element here, as I would expect from a Buffalo Trace product, as well as a bit of caramel. To me, it has the distinct aroma of huckleberries. I can’t capture much else for fruit, but there does seem to be something else extra that is there. It’s quite bright and fresh, maybe like a tart cherry?

There are some subtle spices, but not many to override the sweetness of the huckleberry and caramel. I can get traces of white pepper and maybe the tiniest bit of rye, but not much else. Overall, the nose is simple and inviting, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.

PALATE:
Elmer T Lee Single Barrel Review

– Mouth Feel: Very soft. It has the smallest amount of texture, but by no means is it gritty.
– Balance: Simple. The fruit is the hero; everyone else is a supporting character, so it can seem slightly uneven.
– Visual: Russet/muscat in color, there is a thick, uneven crown that gives way to fast-dropping legs. Some of the legs stutter and turn to droplets, while others remain consistent.

– Taste: The huckleberries from the nose are definitely present here on the palate, and as a fruit bourbon lover, this is very exciting for me. There is a bit of fruit leather of a berry, perhaps the huckleberry, though it could be another berry fruit also. This sweetness occupies the majority of the palate for sure, though if I’m looking deeply, I can get a little light vanilla or simple syrup.

Not much for spice, but I can detect a little bit of black pepper, and strangely enough, red peppercorns. Neither are particularly strong, and it is more of the sensation of them being present as opposed to definitive flavors sticking out. There is also very little wood, and the wood that is there, is very light and contributes to the sweetness and little else. You may think these are all strikes against the bourbon, but as stated, I quite love fruit-intense bourbons, so I am enjoying this greatly.

A Kentucky chew does little to change the flavor. And I daresay it hurts the mouth feel a bit, making it seem more one-dimensional than you’d expect on a Kentucky chew. The alcohol on the chew and without the chew is very minimal and gentle, but remember, this is only 90 proof after all.

FINISH:

– Lasting Power: Short. You get a flame of warmth that bursts, but after only a moment, it disappears and you’re left with a little sensation and aftertaste… but not much.
– Between Sips: The huckleberry truly wants to be a part of every component of this bourbon, and I find it here between sips as well. There is a pinch of black pepper too, but it could also be more of a sensation as opposed to the pronounced spice.

– No More: This stays very consistent throughout the glass. It’s an easy sipper, not offering anything spectacular, but certainly not disappointing either.

The empty Glencairn is very sweet and oaky, and without any semblance of spice, it seems almost pure sugar. I’m actually a bit relieved that the pour did not taste quite like this.

WORTH THE PRICE?

At $38 USD (at the time of purchase), I think it is well worth the price, and fits in very nicely with the Buffalo Trace Distillery price lineups. I am a big fan of many products made by this distillery, and don’t often find offerings that I do not like. If you like fruit, and you like BT, definitely give it a try. Just don’t expect complexity.

ELMER T LEE SINGLE BARREL REVIEW RATING: 87/100

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