Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Bourbon Batch A119

Strongest bourbon I’ve ever tasted but not the harshest. Lots of flavor. Has a sweetness to it. Good one to add to the collection.

Everytime I revisit this I fall in love all over again. It's like Carmel and toasted marshmallow heaven that wakes up every tastebud even some you didnt know existed. A119 is lights out

Tasting: Neat in glen cairn, 2 oz pour. Nose: (5.0) Everything a bourbon should be! Caramel, oak, vanilla for days, and burnt brown sugar. Remember those scratch and sniff stickers the teachers used to put on our papers for 100% grade?......the nose on this bourbon should be the scratch and sniff sticker for adults. Really well done. Palate: (4.75) The nose comes through on the palate with just the right amount of heat and spice. I get some red fruit, perhaps apple? If there was a knock it might be complexity, but for me well orchestrated trumps complication. Finish (5.0): Oak comes through a bit more, caramel fades to butterscotch, and some spice kicks in. Finishes as good as it starts. Overall: This might be my standout of the year. So far it is the best thing I have had this year. A119 may be that one batch that if you hadnt gotten in on yet, you will pay for it later. Looking forward to B519 when it drops in Illinois.

Alright, alright, alright! A house to myself on this Friday evening. Weather is good. Yankees v Red Sox (I am a suffering Mets fan however), GoT catching up and a pour of A119 I have graciously received from @dubz480 I have been anxious to sample this after reading glowing review after another. Perfect night for a bourbon and this one seems to fit the bill. The color is a ambered-copper and quite rich. Candied corns initially greet you. Though high in proof at 135.2%, the alcohol notes are well contained. After some time, the nose sweetens most prominently. Deep brown sugar slightly burned), vanilla, caramel. But there is a fruity side as well. Canned cherries, strawberries, grape soda and toasted coconut. Add a dash of autumn spice of cloves, nutmeg and cinnamon for good measure. Quite a busy nose. Quite good. As this enters the palate, weighty and chewy, all is immediately and briefly anesthetized. Once the numbness fades, the flavors are detectable. Vanilla, brown sugar, dark chocolate, (real) maple syrup, which all briefly stay sweet. The sweetness dampened, spices emerge. Ground cinnamon, black pepper, chili powder and nutmeg. All rich and deep. Once the liquid is no more, the lingering effects remain semi permanently. Leather, oak, caramel, milk chocolate, mild hints of charcoal and dried tobacco, like an unsmoked cigar. Adding a good dose of water rounds those spicy, jagged edges and softens. The sweetness is dulled but the baking spices remain and prominent. Maybe too much water was added, but this is more vibrant unaltered. However, whatever dose of water you may add, it takes a good fifteen minutes plus to really fuse. An absolute gem and wonderful bourbon. Comparatively, where Bookers is more woody and dry, this has a more dominant sweetness. This bourbon is approachable, easy sipping and packs a solid set of aromas and flavors. Drink this, but not too much, albeit quite easily possible, after hours where you have some quiet time. It will not disappoint. A must try/have. You can easily find this at a relatively bargain price. I just grabbed a Batch B518 for $59. I may have to grab another. (By the way, Yanks beat Red Sox 4-1 and Mets are leading Diamondbacks). [93/100][Tasted: 5/31/19]

It’s big! Really big!! But the sweetness that hides underneath the proof makes it a very smooth pour. Add a few drops of water to open it up and enjoy the layers.