A123 BARREL PROOF SHOWDOWN Elijah Craig Barrel Proof A123 Larceny Barrel Proof A123 Continuing to work through bottles in my collection that I’ve yet to review. I’m a huge fan of Elijah Craig Barrel Proof (ECBP), and have most of their triannual releases going back a few years. The brand itself has been around for just over ten years. Larceny Barrel Proof (LBP) is also a triannual release, though it has only been around for about three years. The “A123” designation refers to which of the three annual releases (January, May, September) the bottle is. The “A” signifies the first release of the year; the “1” stands for the month of January. The “23” means the offering is in 2023. Following these A123 guidelines, “B523” for example would be the second release of 2023: “B” is the second, “5” is May, and “23” is 2023. This methodology can be applied to any release. Both ECBP and LBP are products of the Heaven Hill distillery; hence the same release designation. Both are bourbon, but the ECBP has rye in its mashbill, whereas the LBP employs wheat rather than rye. With both barrel proofs coming from the same distiller and release periods—not to mention the fact that the two differ in proof by only 0.2—I thought it would be an interesting exercise to compare them side-by-side. That being said, a 125-proof bourbon is not something to jump straight into; so I had a good splash of Henry McKenna, also a Heaven Hill product, as a 100-proof warmup. Elijah Craig Barrel Proof A123 Quite dark in color; Pantone 160. Wonderfully complex nose evokes dark chocolate covered cherries, both candy and caramel apples, root beer, pomander, Golden Grahams cereal, vanilla, and a whiff of dust. Alcohol more noticeable than the LBP, despite the proofs being nearly identical. Palate has some viscosity, as well as more dark chocolate cherries and some espresso bitterness. The alcohol is noticeable, transitioning to a spicy cinnamon burn with juicy apples, and a touch of woody tannins; long vanilla finish. I’ve never met an ECBP that I didn’t like. This one is very good, but it’s not my favorite release. That’s not a damning statement; rather, it speaks to the high bar that this brand has set. I try to buy each and every ECBP release, but I sometimes don’t see them in my neck of the woods. When I do see them, they’re typically about $80. Would I buy this again? Every single release, if I could. 4.25 stars on the Distiller scale. 125.6 proof. Non-chill filtered. 12-year age statement. Mashbill: 78% corn, 12% malted barley, 10% rye. Larceny Barrel Proof A123 Dark, but just a shade lighter than the ECBP; Pantone 159. Cracker Jack, warm apple pie with a pat of butter, Chinese five-spice, warm cola concentrate, and some caramel. Pervasive mouthfeel shows viscosity similar to the ECBP; alcohol on both nose and palate is more hidden, though certainly present. Long finish with a smooth cappuccino element, along with some vanilla. As Keith Jackson used to say during a college football broadcast: “Whoaaaaaah, Nellie!” This LBP A123 is fantastic, like a satisfying home-cooked meal in front of a warm fire. I bought this in a store that is off the beaten path for me, but I’m heading there again soon! I don’t recall exactly what I paid, but LBP can typically be found for $60-70. More, please! Would I buy it again? I’m breaking out my wallet right now. Not to be missed. 4.5 stars on the Distiller scale. 125.8 proof. Non-chill filtered. 6- to 8-year age statement. Mashbill: 68% corn, 20% wheat, 12% malted barley. Barrel-proof bourbons are my favorite: there is no water adulteration. Both of these are non-chill filtered, so you’re getting the esters and fatty acids that are largely captured (and removed) in a normal filtration process. It’s more natural. It’s pure—straight from the barrel. Both of these A123 releases command your attention, as a barrel-proof bourbon should. They are beautiful and sensual and voluptuous and will ruin you if you’re not careful—and they know it. But you keep coming back for more. The LBP A123 is really, really good. It’s effusive in your nostrils, saturates your palate, and wraps around your tongue, snuggling it like a big, warm blanket. It is smoother than the ECBP (though the ECBP certainly isn’t unsmooth; this could be a function of the rye vs wheat component of the ECBP). The LBP finish goes on and on and on. Same distiller, nearly identical barrel proof, different ages, different mashbill: despite the fact that I’m an unabashed ECBP fanboy, I prefer the LBP here. N.B.: All spirits tasted neat in a Glencairn glass.