Brian’s Elijah Craig Barrel Proof A122 Review:
reviewed 11-September-2023
ELIJAH CRAIG BARREL PROOF A122 REVIEW:
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof A122 (ECBP A122) offers diverse aromas, including an initial ethanol assertiveness. Then come sweet sherry, fruit blossoms, and a symphony of spices. Each sip delivers a subtle ethanol burn, dryness, and harmonious notes of sherry, sweet corn, ripe berries, and caramelized apple, enhanced by spices and decadent sweetness. ECBP A122 showcases a balanced interplay of wood, sugar, and fruit in a relatively creamy texture despite its high proof. The long finish unfolds with a subtle burn, evolving with hints of oak, spice, char, and leather, adding depth to the pour.
ELIJAH CRAIG BARREL PROOF A122 VITAL STATS:
Category: Small Batch Barrel Proof
Region: Louisville, Kentucky, USA
Distillery: Heaven Hill/Bernheim Distillery
Mashbill: 78% Corn, 10% Rye, 12% Malted Barley
Barrel Char: #3
Barrel entry proof: 125
Age: 12 Years
Non-chill filtered
ABV: 60.4% (120.8 Proof)
Availability: Tri-anual Limited Release
Release Date: January 2022
Batch number identifier: A122
▪”A” Third (last) release of the year
▪”1″ Released in January
▪”22″ Released in 2022
NABCA CSC #: 17917
Fair Price: $105.49 (BoozApp, Sep, 2023)
Price: $69.95 (Spring 2022, Idaho)
Learn more at Heaven Hill.
ENJOYMENT METHOD FOR THE REVIEW:
Taken out of the newly opened bottle, the first one and a half ounces mixed with the bourbon in our Infinity Bottle Project. Then, by alternating the pours, four once review amounts went into a Glencairn and a Weck. My daughter and I enjoyed the bourbon neat as I prepared this review.
ELIJAH CRAIG BARREL PROOF A122 NOSE:
Initially, ECBP 122 presents with an assertive presence of ethanol owing to the pour’s high ABV. As my nose acclimates, I sense sweet sherry and delicate fruit blossoms. As nose on, ripe berries and the freshness of caramel dipped apple slices, garnished with a single maraschino cherry and a squeeze of fresh citrus drift in. Then come spices of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and white pepper. These aromas form the backdrop for brown sugared pastry and crushed graham crackers. The sweetness continues as rich vanilla adds allure to caramel corn and toasted marshmallow dipped in buttery brown sugar caramel. As if these confections are not enough, cashew toffee makes an entrance. Behind the sweets, a faint touch of tooled leather fades in and out. And in the balance of aromas, dry oak sawdust counters a piney aspect, then intermingles with barrel spice, char, to add a touch of smoky sweetness.
ELIJAH CRAIG BARREL PROOF A122 PALATE:
The first impression of ECBP A122, is one of dryness, accompanied by a subtle but noticeable burn attributable to the ethanol content. Notes of sherry become evident, as roasted sweet corn and ripe berries contribute harmony, while the presence of baked caramel apple adds a comforting sweetness. Careful sipping reveals more delicate fruit notes, including dark ripe plums and a hint of banana. The flavors awaken the spice cabinet, as cinnamon, ginger, and black pepper, pair with rich undertones of vanilla. The flavor journey deepens with decadent brown sugar, buttery caramel, and macadamia toffee. As the tasting continues, sawdust and dry oak along with barrel spice and char, provide balanced depth. When the woodiness fades, a subtle memory of old books, adds a unique touch to this intricate flavor profile.
Balance, Body, Feel and Look:
ECBP A122 exhibits a solid balance of wood, sugar, and fruit. From the first sip, it immediately elicits salivation, indicating its well-blended aromas and flavors. The inital texture on the tongue is rough and gritty, adding an interesting tactile dimension to the experience. The body of A122 is notably creamy, although this quality can be a bit challenging to detect as the proof asserts itself. In the glass, a thin crown with inverted clinging droplets hangs above the burnt amber pool while after each sip, fast draining legs break from the rim.
ELIJAH CRAIG BARREL PROOF A122 FINISH
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof A122 has a notably long and impactful finish. As each waft and sip is savored, I get a subtle, lingering burn, which gradually seeps down the esophagus, turning dry and warm as it passes. Be careful though; the ethanol presence may offer an uncomfortable Kentucky Hug, a warming embrace characteristic of high-proof bourbons. Avoiding this, the flavors of sweet corn and dark stone fruit continue to evolve, accompanied by a medley of cinnamon, ginger, and black pepper, while rich vanilla, brown sugar, buttery caramel, and toffee notes contribute a satisfying sweetness. Near the end of each fading swallow, the influence of dry oak and barrel spice, along with subtle hints of char and leather, add depth and complexity to the finish.
MY RATING: 92/100
Will I buy this whiskey again? YES
Click to read Brian’s scoring process.
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WHISKEY TRAITS, FLAVOR NOTES AND PROFILE GRAPH:
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