Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Bourbon Batch B521

This stuff is yummy smooth nectar, slightly sweet with vanilla and chocolate and not a lot of spice but with some oak char at the finish, A+

Neat. Second pour but first time I sat down with it for a proper tasting. The nose is more delicate than any other ECBP thus far. That’s not a bad thing, there is nice flavor here but it isn’t over the top. I want to describe it as peanut brittle - but it isn’t quite peanut. It’s more like almond butter. There is a nice pear note here too. Toffee. Lots of Christmas spices too - cinnamon, nutmeg, even a fresh pine. It has surprising depth honestly. It felt more one note on my first impression but I didn’t have a whiskey glass for that pour. Mouthfeel is creamy but very light. Getting sweet tobacco and pepper initially. The almond butter really comes through mid palate. Lots of vanilla sweet cream up front too. A nut brittle comes through and is the main notes I am getting on the finish. Initially I thought the finish was weak and disappointing. But on subsequent sips, the oil is really building and the finish continues to extend. There is a surprising lack of oak but it is showing up more and more on the finish. Okay this is a really good whiskey but compared to other ECBP batches, it is missing this extra gear of flavor. It hits such a different flavor spectrum than other batches that I do appreciate it. I am glad I got a bottle but I am not going to be hunting a back up like I did last year’s batches. It’ll be an interesting pour to throw in blind flights when the ECBP name isn’t setting such high expectations.

Very good bourbon. Tasting against the Larceny B521 (I actually had to check that). Definitely smoother than the Larceny. But also less complex I think. Not as good as the B520 for sure.

Slight vanilla with an alcohol burn. Medium mouth with a pleasant finish of tobacco and leather. An excellent barrel proff bourbon

Lighter than its normal batch. Smells very sweet and some pepper. Sweet and spicy, very enjoyable. Some baking spice and a longer finish

Deep copper color. The nose has maraschino cherry syrup, unlit cigar, vanilla bean, cinnamon stick and a heavy dose of sweet oak. Rich, velvety mouthfeel. The palate is a cherry bomb with a blast of maraschino cherry syrup up front, then more dark fruits including dark cherries and plums, followed by vanilla bean, charred cinnamon stick and a hint of cinnamon apples, fresh ground nutmeg, pipe tobacco, roasted peanuts, leather and oak. The finish is long, hot, dry and peppery with a lot of oak and baking spices, a little vanilla and caramel, and a hint of ground coffee. I know this is low proof for an ECBP, but this is beautiful and layered, and one of my favorites of their recent releases.