Hannah’s Elijah Craig Barrel Proof C920 Review
Original review written November 9, 2021
GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
A good, hot bourbon with fruity and spicy character that fight hard for the sipper’s attention. It’s a solid addition to the bunker collection. 89/100
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
– Barrel Entry Proof: 125
– ABV: 66.4% (132.8 proof)
– Price: $59.99 USD in Idaho (2020)
Visit heavenhill.com for more information
ENJOYMENT METHOD:
I enjoyed the spirit neat from a Glencairn with father and fellow Whiskey for the Ages reviewer, Brian.
Check out his review for this bourbon here!
SETTING:
ECBP C920 is tumultuous like a stormy sky at a beach. The waters are wild, and the winds are brisk. You’re still outside, waiting for the brunt of the storm to hit, and everything already feels new and fresh. C920 will keep you warm while also giving you the confidence to say to the untamable waves, “Bring it on.”
Photo by Tabea Schimpf on Unsplash
NOSE:
This has the sweetness of crisp apples, and freshness of rye on the first inhale. There’s other sugars to go along with the apple, including graham crackers and light brown sugar. I also find corn, vanilla custard, orange sponge cake, all mixing with cinnamon and nutmeg. There’s even a marshmallow component that sneaks in and out of inhales. C920 is sweet, but also rich, and with plenty of depth. The oak is new, and it has an earthy nuttiness to it as well, like almonds. And for being over 130 proof, I’m surprised that the alcohol isn’t as aggressive as I anticipated. It’s certainly present, but it’s fiery in a cinnamon-y way, and it’s quite complementary to the rest of the profile of this nose. Overall, I’d say this is inviting and pleasantly original.
PALATE:
– Mouth Feel: Oily. It’s juicy and rich – definitely a great property of this bourbon.
– Balance: Solid. I wouldn’t say mind-blowing, but everything is where it should be and makes for easy, contented sipping.
– Visual: Old oak in color, this leaves a distinct ring, while the rest of the bourbon falls quickly in sheets.
– Taste: I get cherries, cherry syrup, and cinnamon on the first sip in spades. The vanilla custard is still here from the nose, but there is also now some caramel to accompany it. I’ve lost the citrusy essence, but with the cherries and some other dark berry nectar, fruit still abounds. There’s a bit of dried fruit, like spicy currants and maybe blackberry fruit leather. The corn is stronger here on the palate as well, being roasted and giving off just a hint of a savory quality with its sweetness.
Don’t think this pour is strictly fruit though; the spice is certainly prevalent, and even sharp on some sips. There’s a new development of ginger to go along with the rye from the nose. It’s fresh, and the ginger adds a new textural component. The oak is there, but I wouldn’t say it’s particularly noticeable.
The alcohol is strong, but even still, I can let this sit on the tip of my tongue for some time without feeling pressured or strong burning. When I partake in a Kentucky chew, the ginger kicks up, as does the corn. It’s harsh, and since it eliminates the majority of the fruit essences, I don’t feel like it’s necessary to do another chew.
FINISH:
– Lasting Power: Medium-long. Not as long as I thought it might be, but I’m not unhappy about it.
– Between Sips: I think the ginger is the most pronounced between sips, but it still isn’t particularly strong. It merely stands out against all of the other potential flavors lingering. There’s also a bitter note that could be citrus zest, but it fades relatively quickly.
– No More: This is consistent as I go through the glass. It continues to be gently warming, and the ginger aftertaste hasn’t grown or diminished too much. I wish I had a bit more of a fruit presence, but I am still most certainly, pleased.
The empty Glencairn is vanilla and oak, and I do think it’s a good finish to a solid bourbon.
THE ADDITION OF WATER
– This section written on November 13, 2021 –
Water can often tame bold whiskeys and the addition of 2-4 drops will not radically change the proof of the pour. Rather water may help open the spirit allowing the aromas and flavors to bloom. As such, 2 and 4 drops of distilled water were added to their own respective 1.5 oz. pours of ECBP C920 to detect any potential differences:
The glass immediately smells of caramel apples with the addition of two drops. When I take a sip, I find the intensity of the caramel growing, and the alcohol is surprisingly mild. I can hold it on my palate and not even feel a burn for quite some time. With the caramel is vanilla, cinnamon, ginger and the tiniest bit of citrus zest. It’s refreshing with the two drops, but I’m not entirely convinced that it is more enjoyable this way rather than neat. But if you hesitate at the proof, two drops will certainly help without turning it into something poor. (RATING: 88/100)
I find a sudden bit of tang on the nose with a new found oaky depth, and some sort of berry nectar. I can’t decide if I like this new smell. When I take a sip, I find that the mouth feel is now even oilier, and it makes the other flavors a bit harder to distinguish. There is still caramel; however, it seems much more woody now. The sweeter flavors are harder to find, leaving just behind the cinnamon and ginger, and now some rye as well. Overall, I think the four drops make this pour slightly on the bitter side, and I wouldn’t recommend it. I will say, that if I hadn’t known that this was ECBP C920 originally, maybe my opinion of it would be better. As such, it’s impossible to not have a calibration point where it’s easy to feel disappointed. (RATING: 86/100)
WORTH THE PRICE?
For a 130+ proof bourbon, $60 is always going to seem like a bargain to me. I don’t think this is my favorite installment of ECBP, but I am more than happy that there are more bottles of this in our bunker.
ELIJAH CRAIG BARREL PROOF C920 REVIEW RATING: 89/100
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