Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Bourbon Batch B520

Thank you to @ContemplativeFox for his generosity in sending me this sample. Appearance: Warm maple syrup in color, Moderate legs, oily. Nose: High proof but relaxed, butterscotch, vanilla, nutty, woodsy, smoky, sliced fresh apple. Mouthfeel: Thick, rich and full. Lovely. Flavor: Tart, yet sweet. Presence of heat and caramel, vanilla, toasted coconut, smoky oak, green apple, cinnamon and mint. It is tangy and sour as well. Finish: Very tart, very sour and too minty for me. It has a very nice long warm hug but I can not get past the sour and mint. I added ice which made the mint and sour even more intense. Conclusion: For me it is just too much tangy, too sour, and too minty of a finish to enjoy. I feel bad because I know this is a much loved and appreciated EC but for me I just can not enjoy it enough to warrant a purchase to try it again. Maybe it is my fault, maybe a bad tasting night but it is the only pour I had so I know it was not due to an overlap in flavors. It was terribly bitter in my mouth in the finish although I loved and appreciated all the other wonderful flavor notes. This one to me is so interesting as it does have major complexity and layers of some of my favorite flavors but the finish ruined it for me. Rated a 2.00 as I would drink again if offered to me or found at a good price at a bar - just to be sure I am right about this one - but would not buy it to find out.

Strong but flavorful

Nose brown sugar. Nice sweet palate with cinnamon, vanilla, brown sugar and a bit of charred sugar. One of my favorite whiskeys.