Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Bourbon Batch C917

Elijah Craig Barrel Proof: B517 vs C917 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 “B5” (B for the second release; 5 for the month of May); and September is “C9” (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 “B517” is the second release, in May, in the year 2017. All ECBP have a 12-year age statement, and proof typically ranges from around 120 to nearly 140. Caveat bibitor. I did a side-by-side tasting of ECBP B520 and A122 on June 25, 2022; this tasting compares B517 and C917. B517 (62.1% ABV): Clear and dark orange mahogany color. Upon opening, the nose was reticent vs the C917, but opened up with air. The expected ethanol (this is barrel-proof bourbon) is not out of balance with root beer concentrate, cut hay, maple syrup, Thai basil, roasted marshmallow, vanilla cake, and spearmint. Cinnamon red hots and espresso finishes with some drying tannins and vanilla on the finish. 4.25 on the Distiller scale. C917 (65.5% ABV): Clear and dark orange mahogany color; indistinguishable from the B517. But the nose immediately differentiates itself: it is far more effusive and ebullient, showing candy apple, cola, chocolate-covered cherries, and vanilla with intoxicating intensity. There is a similarly boisterous palate, which piles on with the addition of sweet pipe tobacco. The vanilla finish goes on and on and on. The incredible aromatics and palate intensity more than stands up to the hazmat proof. Outstanding; few bourbons reach these heights. 4.75 on the Distiller scale. Going back and forth between the two reveals a significant difference. The B517 is very good, but lacks the depth and breadth of the C917. If the B517 is a Porsche 911, then the C917 is a GT3 RS. This is a not-insignificant difference. Despite these differences, the consistent 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 rely on consistent excellence. With wide (if seasonal) availability and a price around $80 retail, ECBP represents incredible value in the ever-crazier bourbon world. N.B. All spirits tasted neat in a Glencairn glass.

Neat. Nose is brown sugar maple oak. Taste is sweet oaky vanilla caramel with a caramel oak spice finish.

The nose let's you know this one is packing heat. An earthiness and some vanilla are apparent and it opens up nicely with a few drops. Plenty of oak. Flavor drinks every ounce of the 13and really benefits from water as the ethanol otherwise overpowers quickly. A softer finish with water, there's actually a good amount of fruit and vanilla in-between the oak. Good, but far from my favorite ECBP to date.