Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 133.0 PROOF (Batch #C923)
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 133.0 PROOF (Batch #C923)
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$149.99 USD
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When Heaven Hill announced Batch B523 they dropped the news that Elijah Craig Barrel Proof releases would lose their 12 year age statement going forward. Batch B523 is an 11 year, 5 month old bourbon which immediately distilled fear in bourbon drinkers that their beloved brand would be skewing younger, and not older, as the result of this decision. Heaven Hill wisely made a note at the time that the final release of 2023 would see the oldest age statement for the brand yet.
True to their word, Batch C923 features an impressive 13 year, 7 month age statement. I noted in my Batch B523 review that relaxing the constriction of the 12 year age statement would allow a greater degree of blending freedom. As a result, Batch B523 was a unique expression for the brand that seemed to be stuck in a creative rut. In fact, tasting all three of the 2023 Elijah Craig Barrel Proof batches side by side shows the dramatic transformation with an increase in quality, but also unique characteristics missing from the brand’s batches over the last few years. The change is very apparent directly comparing Batch A123 to C923, with the aforementioned batch much more astringent, tannic, and overall less impressive in every regard. And though C923 isn’t as full-on unique as B523, its collection of flavors, intensity, age, and how they all come perfectly together is what makes this bourbon special.
True to their word, Batch C923 features an impressive 13 year, 7 month age statement. I noted in my Batch B523 review that relaxing the constriction of the 12 year age statement would allow a greater degree of blending freedom. As a result, Batch B523 was a unique expression for the brand that seemed to be stuck in a creative rut. In fact, tasting all three of the 2023 Elijah Craig Barrel Proof batches side by side shows the dramatic transformation with an increase in quality, but also unique characteristics missing from the brand’s batches over the last few years. The change is very apparent directly comparing Batch A123 to C923, with the aforementioned batch much more astringent, tannic, and overall less impressive in every regard. And though C923 isn’t as full-on unique as B523, its collection of flavors, intensity, age, and how they all come perfectly together is what makes this bourbon special.