Brian’s Elijah Craig Barrel Proof B520 Review:
written on 30-January-2021
ELIJAH CRAIG BARREL PROOF B520 BOURBON REVIEW:
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof B520 (ECBP B520) is a solid addition to the Elijah Craig line. I love the heat and there’s plenty, but for me, the pour is a bit unlinked; there’s the smell and taste of fruit, but I cannot say what it is. I smell something, but whatever it is, it does not pass to the mouth. It is sweet and yet, not sweet. The liquid wants to hug all the way to the finish, but a good chew is easy, feels great and is a pleasure to hold in my mouth. Still, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof B520 is a fine bourbon, and I’ll have another.
ELIJAH CRAIG BARREL PROOF B520 BOURBON 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: 63.6% (127.2 Proof)
Availability: Tri-annual Limited Release
Release Date: May 2020
Batch number identifier: B520
▪”B” Second release of the year
▪”5″ Released in May
▪”20″ Released in 2019
Price: $69.99 (July 2020 in Wisconsin, $59.95 in Idaho)
Learn more at https://heavenhill.com/.
ENJOYMENT METHOD:
For the evaluation, ECBP B520 was shared neat from Glencairns with my daughter and fellow Whiskey for the Ages reviewer Hannah.
Check out her review for this bourbon here!
ECBP B520 NOSE:
When first brought to the nose, ECBP B520 offers a touch of strong alcohol, yet full and hearty draws don’t burn. There’s a hint of fruit tree blossoms and ripe berry nectar sweetness, and while it always surprises me, fresh citrus; this time segmented clementines. Light allspice blends with yeasty brown sugared pastry and light vanilla. More sweets of simple syrup, orange blossom honey comb and maple syrup fade in and out but never overpower its simple, light, dry oak.
ECBP B520 PALATE:
The first sip of ECBP B520 is quite warming in the mouth, but it is so easy to hold as I jot down my tasting notes. I do taste some floral notes, but less so and the Elijah Craig trademark roasted corn, dusty grain and mown hay is there but then again, it’s not. I get a faint taste of berries, some acidic tartness (maybe Pink Lady apples?) and other fruits but my taste bud are unable to truly define them. Traces of allspice, cinnamon, ginger, black pepper and rye mix with sweets of light vanilla, cinnamon Red Hots candy, brown sugar and woody burnt caramel. And while definitely not nutty, I taste something roasted along with seasoned oak, toasted barrel spice, hazy char and an aire of old leather.
Balance, Body, Feel and Look:
The elements sensed on the nose and palate are so well blended they are difficult to discern; I don’t taste what I smell and I can’t smell what I taste. While I can hold the liquid in my mouth without difficulty (it’s viscous, oily and rich), I get a rough and gritty fiery bite on the back of the tongue and throat when I swallow. After each sip, a curtain of liquid breaks in long clinging legs to fall back to the terracotta colored pool, leaving a perfect inverted crown.
ECBP B520 FINISH:
ECBP B520 finishes medium long, with plenty of lingering throat warmth. It is light with only traces of cinnamon, black pepper, and burnt caramel remembrance to go with seasoned oak, toasted wood, hazy barrel char, and leather.
MY ECBP B520 RATING: 89/100
Will I buy this whiskey again? YES
I would buy ANY older Elijah Craig Barrel Proof bourbon if found on the shelf.
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.
ECBP B520 TRAITS, FLAVOR NOTES AND PROFILE GRAPH:
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