Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Bourbon Batch C923

Open 4.5 months Nose - Stewed berries, raisins, cinnamon, brown sugar, fresh bread, dark chocolate, mint candy, rich oak, and medium ethanol. Palate - Plum and berry pie filling, hot cinnamon bun, Red Hots, green grapes, new leather, oak extract, roasted peanuts, and clove. Finish is long with dry, somewhat bitter oak, ground cinnamon, clove, white pepper, molasses, and medium ethanol. If I rated this when I first opened it, I would've given it a 4.75. I agreed with everyone on the internet claiming this is the best ECBP in years. Over time, I think it has gotten worse. The dryness and bitterness from the oak has come to the forefront and the fruits and sugars have faded. The other reason I don't rate it as highly as others. I've had two different 8 Year store picks open at the same time, and they're just as good. And they cost the same. ECBP store picks are the way to go in my opinion.

The now famous C923. Big fan of the expression so let’s see how this highly regarded release stacks up. Nose is “dark” with well integrated notes of plum, caramel, date, French vanilla ice cream, fig, custard, nutmeg, tobacco and sweet oak. Complex and inviting. Ethanol is low given the proof. Palate brings the caramel and vanilla from the nose with less fruit than the aroma would indicate although I do get nice black cherry and berry notes. Add butterscotch, raisin, black pepper, hazelnut and toffee. Flavors are rich and decadent. Some heat is evident on the tongue. Finish is so damn long with a cinnamon/allspice/ginger bloom, brown sugar, old leather, and barrel char. Lingering wood note (which to me tastes more like bitter sandalwood than oak) after everything else fades away. Mouthfeel is full bodied and unctuous. A truly outstanding ECBP release. Just missed a 5.0 for being a wee bit hot, but it’s the most minor of flaws. At the $79.99 that I paid it’s highway robbery; if you find it at that price buy two and thank me later.