Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Bourbon Batch A124

I wasn't planning on trying this bourbon tonight. There was one pour left in my Woodford Reserve Master's Collection Batch Proof 118.4, and it came across hot, so I wanted to compare it to a bourbon with similar ABV (almost identical at 119.0). Nose exhibits aromas of caramel, pomander, cool spearmint, and Cracker Jack, as well as a savory, slightly salty peanut aspect that I didn't get on my previous note (3/27/24). It has a roundness on the palate, with more caramel on the finish, and a warming Kentucky Hug. The alcohol is very well-integrated. This ECBP, while not as complex as previous editions, is nevertheless well balanced and smooth, with good depth of flavor. The ECBP A124 got some flak on release, given the relatively low age statement of 10 years, 9 months--lower than the 12 years of previous ECBP offerings, and well below the 13+ years of the C923 that immediately preceded it. Tasted blind and removing that bias, it wouldn't matter. This is very good bourbon. ECBP on the whole is one of my favorite bourbons, and I try to get at least one of each of the triannual releases. Would I but it again? Yes. 4.25 on the Distiller scale.

Nose: leather, vanilla, spice Palate: very hot, an off note caramel,