Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Bourbon Batch A122

Mahogany color. The nose has a blast of vanilla bean up front, then cinnamon-apple crumble, cocoa nibs, cloves, browned butter, cola, and dried leather. The mouthfeel is heavy and hot. The palate has toasted cinnamon stick, vanilla bean, brown sugar, dark cherries, cola, pipe tobacco, and sweet oak. The finish is long and dry with a good amount of oak tannins, along with cherry cordials, vanilla, brown sugar, cinnamon stick, and allspice.

Rich barrel spice and leather, with a hint of cream and pecans, like crushed pecans over vanilla bean ice cream. The first sip is full and coating, bringing caramel and cinnamon, and leaving you with some oak and heat. The burn is tempered and expected, actually quite light for 60% ABV. One of my favorite new finds.

Lots of caramel and sweetness on this one. Very yummy and drinks without a ton of ethanol burn despite its proof.

Another fantastic release. This one has a BBQ smokiness to it that just begs for a plate of pulled pork and baked beans to enjoy between sips. The nose is full of high notes with a mouthwatering maple, brown bread, pecan pie essence. The flavor is intensely compact poured straight, with a spectrum of notes from deep woody bass rumblings to high keening sweet corn. With a bit of water to bring the proof down, things open into a wider vista, with each element playing a significant role. The finish is long, sweet and leaves you thinking once again of BBQ. A fun and impressive whiskey that hits all the right marks.