Incredible integrity. For a low-mid shelf bourbon, this expression from Heaven Hill delivers everything you could want in a bourbon. A “Bourbon’s Bourbon”. In the nosing and on the palate there are black cherries, caramel sauce, worn wood, and fuji apples. On the tongue it was full-feeling and never tasted watered down. Many reviews of higher proof whiskies (of which I enjoy most) mention how well they “drink below their proof”, but I say Elijah Craig Small Batch drinks “above” its proof, in that it delivers an experience full of quentessential flavor from start to finish. Some of the best whiskey below 100 proof in my opinion. My thanks to @TravHernandez for the sample!!