Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Bourbon Batch B520

Elijah Craig Barrel Proof: B520 vs A122 Elijah Craig Barrel Proof (ECBP) is one of my favorite bourbons. Heaven Hill, the distillery for Elijah Craig, releases ECBP three times per year (January, May, September), with a four-character code: January is “A1” (A for first release; 1 for the month of January); May is “B2” (B for the second release; 5 for the month of May); and September is “C3” (C for the third release; 9 for the month of September). The second two characters correspond to the last two digits of a particular year. Thus “B520” is the second release, in May, in the year 2020. All ECBP have a 12-year age statement, and proof typically ranges from around 120 to nearly 140. Caveat bibitor. I pulled out B520 and A122 at random because I have them both open (I have most if not all releases going back four years or so). B520: Clear orange mahogany color. Powerful nose: noticeable ethanol (to be expected; this is barrel proof bourbon) almost struggles to be noticed in the explosion of olfactory elements: malted milk balls, freshly mown hay, maple syrup, creosote railroad ties, split oak, sweet pipe tobacco, and vanilla. (NB: nosed after the A122, there is a quite prevalent toasted marshmallow note). Penetrating mouthfeel is spearheaded with heat, with notes of sweet café Cubano, leather, and cigar tobacco, and cinnamon. Faint woody tannins and some vanilla on the medium-length finish. 4.75 on the Distiller scale. A122: Clear orange mahogany color; indistinguishable from the B520. Different nose: ethanol not as pronounced (120.8 vs B520’s 127.2); more grassier rather than hay; some coconut; chocolate-covered cherries; sweet pipe tobacco and toasted marshmallow like the B520; and pomander and red hots. Palate is more woody and leathery, with noticeable (pleasantly expected) heat, before finishing with lingering notes of coconut and vanilla. 4.5 on the Distiller scale. Different release years, different months, different proofs: the consistent (albeit slightly different) quality and hedonistic pleasure that both of these bottles affords illustrates why each release of ECBP goes into my inventory whether tasted already or not. Irrespective of release, bourbon afficionados can bank on a good pour. And at $70-80 retail, ECBP represents incredible value in the ever-crazier bourbon world. N.B. All spirits tasted neat in a Glencairn glass.

By far one of my favorite bottles in my collection. The vanilla, baking spice, and apple are AMAZING!

Rating: 22/23 I'm re-tasting the last 50ml of a bottle that I've been storing in a mili for a while. N: Not the fullest, but that's often the case with high proof drams. There is some interesting character here, with mature wood mixed with some yeast, a bit of smoke, a little fudge, some faint but nice spices, hints of creosote, and a touch of anise. There's a nice balance here and this is definitely an enjoyable nose. The high ABV doesn't really show through. Oh, a bit of vanilla too with the fudge. P: Creosote, anise, vanilla, mature wood, fudge, and some definite alcohol burn. The spices blend in nicely, adding to the sophistication here. I do taste a bit of alcohol, but it isn't too much. There's a nice complexity here with some flavors that balance well. F: Sure, a bit of the alcohol and burn come through at first, bit then the anise and chocolate make their way in with the rich wood and spices. The herbs and minerals are faintly maintained as well. In the long finish, the minerals do show themselves more. - Conclusion - Elijah Craig A121 is a bit thinner and less complex, with more burn (from the neck). At the same time, it has a lot more fudge, which promises some great future decadence. I thought that this was chocolatey previously, but it has nothing on the A121 Actually, this is the thinner of the two on the palate, but it's fuller on the finish. These are seriously competitive. I'm frankly shocked that the mature version of the B520 could be challenged by the neck of any other release. The complexity is higher here, but the balance is - quite surprisingly - reduced. This also isn't as smooth. It's tough to come to a conclusion, so I think that the two are highly competitive, which is a shocking revelation. Jack Daniel's Single Barrel Barrel Proof (21/23) is more decadent than this, but it's less complex. This comes in with more of that sour mash flavor and fudge. I think that the Jack Daniel's is more competitive with this now than I used to think. Perhaps it's the extra aging and the air took it too far. Wild Turkey Rare Breed (18-19/23) is a bit brasher than this, but it has some nice sweet, fruity funk. I would take this over the Wild Turkey. Would I take this over the Jack Daniel's though? I think it's hard for me to put this behind it, but I might. This certainly isn't a 23. Finishing up my side-by-siding, I'd take this over the Jack Daniel's. I think it maintains its 22 status, but slightly.

Working through the list, and pulling down the open bottles first...and was happy to see this gem in the line. Nose is outstanding - inviting and warm, but minimal ethanol to get in the way of a charred oak gem...brown sugar, caramel, baking spices, and some fruit as you dig. Water opens up a bit, but is not needed to enjoy this bottle. Flavor isn't a big surprise, but it still manages to exceed expectations...full bodied, rich caramel, oak, sweet vanilla, and wisps of chocolate. Viscous pour, this drinks every bit of its proof, but the proof doesn't define this whiskey, and that's what makes it great! Got this bottle for a song, and would have happily paid more...