ELIJAH CRAIG BARREL PROOF SHOWDOWN: 2019 Elijah Craig Barrel Proof A119 Elijah Craig Barrel Proof B519 Continuing to work through whiskies in my collection that I’ve yet to review. I’ve got several years and releases of ECBP; however, my only complete year for all three releases is 2017. For 2019, I was never able to find C919, so this showdown will compare the A119 to the B519. I’ve gone through seven years of community ranking data for each triannual rating of ECBP, and averaged the 21 averages themselves to establish a community mean for the seven-year period 2017-2023. This will enable us to quantify what the group things about a particular release relative to the overall average (mean). At the time of yesterday’s review: • mean(m): 4.26 • standard deviation(s): 0.14 • sample size(n): 3008 (If you don’t care about stats, you can skip the next two paragraphs). Because I’m unable to aggregate all ratings for each specific release (Distiller, are you listening? Give us more data!), I’m unable to establish a standard deviation for a particular release. But I am able to compute the z-score for each particular release relative to the entire sample. The z-score is computed as follows: ((mean for the specific release minus the mean for the entire sample) divided by the overall sample’s standard deviation). This statistic quantifies how much better or worse a particular release is in relation to the community’s ranking of all ECBP over the sample period. Assuming a normal distribution, any z-score within +/- 1.0 standard deviation is assumed to be within “normal” limits (per the empirical rule, ~68% of the distribution is within +/- 1 standard deviation from the mean). A z-score of +/- 2 standard deviations would represent ~95% of the distribution; and +/- 3 is ~99% of the distribution. Thus a z-score of +1.5 would be a significantly better release than normal (and -1.5 would be significantly worse). A z-score of 2.0 would be better than 95% of the sample, etc. (End of stats geek stuff). Elijah Craig Barrel Proof A119 Color is a clear russet mahogany, consistent with Pantone 153. Prominent cherries on the nose, orange marmalade, caramel apples, oaky vanilla, and noticeable alcohol. Just the slightest bit of creaminess on the palate, with caramelized sugar and spicy cinnamon with the alcohol kick, finishing with some tobacco, leather, toasted oak, and lots of vanilla on the medium-long finish. For $75-80, the age statement, barrel proof, and consistent good- to-great quality of ECBP makes this bourbon a no-brainer. Unfortunately, they get scarce pretty quickly, and I’m typically not able to secure all three releases for any given year—though I definitely try. ECBP always represents a great value. This particular batch is very good: complex, robust, and approaching hazmat proof, which doesn’t overwhelm the depth and richness of flavor. Give me a campfire in the woods on a cool fall evening, and this (and a good woman). 4.5 on the Distiller scale. My rating: 4.5 Community: m=4.36, z=0.70, n=270 (moderately better than all ECBPs) 135.2 proof. 12-year age statement. Elijah Craig Barrel Proof B519 Bourbonesque clear mahogany (Pantone 153) is indistinguishable in color from the A119. Nose begins with a soft cocoa powder followed by fruity cherries, grilled peaches, and strawberry preserves, and a whiff of cool licorice. The palate has a little sweetness, quickly revealing some espresso bitterness, woody tannins, char, roasted marshmallow, and burnt caramel, before fading to vanilla. Tasted after the A119, the B519’s lower proof is evident: this is a kinder, gentler ECBP. “Gentler,” but not “gentle.” It’s softer than the A119, but has the gusto to wear the ECBP banner proudly. While the community rates this as slightly below all ECBPs over the past seven years, I’d rate it just slightly above, but given the quarter-point increments of the Distiller rating system, there’s not enough to push it to a 4.5 like the A119. Great value as always. Would I buy it again? Yes. I buy every ECBP release that I see. 4.25 on the Distiller scale. My rating: 4.25 Community: m=4.23, z=-0.23, n=305 (slightly worse than all ECBPs) 122.2 proof. 12-year age statement. For the most part, comparing ECBPs is like comparing BMWs with Mercedes, or critiquing any luxury car brand and debating the merits of different options. These tasting “Showdowns” are fun to do, and I believe are good exercises for your nose and palate. Finding the good stuff requires wading through a lot of crap. I’ve waded through a lot of crap already, and am sure that ECBP is among the good stuff. Overall, the A119 is more complex and assertive, whereas the B519 is softer (and still complex). Both are perched near the top of the bourbon world. The A119 appeals a bit more to my palate than the B519, but I will continue to happily drink them both. N.B.: All spirits tasted neat in a Glencairn glass.