Hannah’s Elijah Craig Small Batch Review
Original review written on January 3, 2020
GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
One of the best introductions to bourbon you can always find, at a friendly proof, and an inoffensive price. Great even for those who know their way around the spirit. Highly recommend! Read on for my full Elijah Craig Small Batch Review here! 88/100
VITALS:
– Made In: Louisville, Kentucky, USA
– Distillery: Heaven Hill Bernheim Distillery
– Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey; Small Batch
– Age: nas
– Mash Bill: Corn=78%; Rye=10%; Malted Barley=12%
– Casks: Char #3
– Barrel Entry Proof: 125
– Non-Chill filtered
– ABV: 47% (94 proof)
– Price: $29.95 USD in Idaho
Visit heavenhill.com for more information
ENJOYMENT METHOD:
I enjoyed the juice neat from special Elijah Craig whiskey glasses with father and fellow Whiskey for the Ages reviewer, Brian.
Check out his review for this bourbon here!
SETTING:
On a cool autumn evening, enjoy Elijah Craig Small Batch beside a roaring campfire with the wispy smoke and sparkling embers dancing in the wind above you. Your log bench is comfortable and the warmth of the bourbon feels as though it could compete with the heat of the flames.
Photo by Joshua Newton on Unsplash
NOSE:
Black pepper is at the forefront of the warming glass, along with leather and a musty old feel. Deep inhales find chopped red peppercorns, ethanol, rye, and strong oak. All of these spices actually make for a gritty texture, even on the nose. I’m fighting for a sweetness, but it’s difficult. All I can find is a whisper of hard butterscotch candies and figs. Overall, spice is dominant, but the alcohol accompanying it isn’t overly affronting.
PALATE:
– Mouth Feel: Silken and pleasant with a touch of bite.
– Balance: Each flavor blends seamlessly into the next.
– Visual: Mahogany in color, this coats the glass without leaving legs, but there is a crown.
– Taste: The leather from the nose is very present, along with the figs which have suddenly taken a bigger role here on the palate. The fig comes through in a way akin to what you’d find in a Fig Newton snack – there’s a pinch of nutmeg and an overall dryness that is quite satisfying.
Rye and white pepper sit at the back of the palate. Also at the back of the throat is the subtle sweetness of a Mexican gummy candy dusted in chili powder making this even more fun to play with.
I find the alcohol a little more pronounced here as well, married to a healthy barrel char, roasted corn and fibrous raw grain stalks – almost grassy.
The old age of the nose is here too, being regal in how it combines with seasoned (now light) oak.
A Kentucky chew makes the leather pop with the earthy tones to make the mouth salivate. It’s a vibrant bourbon that packs a punch when allowed.
FINISH:
– Lasting Power: Medium. I find warmth, and I think it can grow exponentially with not a lot of force, but for mild sipping, the warmth is confined to the mouth and the smallest bit of the throat.
– Between Sips: The figs of leather are at it again between sips, but the various spices do come out every now and then, along with the grassy flavors.
– No More: As I expected, the bourbon does grow in warming effects the further into the glass I get. Occasionally, there’s the essence of cherry but it fades quickly each time it shows up. Otherwise, the flavors originally present are there in the same capacity and concentration as before.
The empty Glencairn is a soft, mellow oak – comforting and warm. The oak could be stronger, but I’m not complaining.
WORTH THE PRICE?
Without a doubt. Whether you’re new or seasoned to whiskey, it’s an appreciated bottle.
RATING: 88/100
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