ELIJAH CRAIG BARREL PROOF SHOWDOWN: 2023 Elijah Craig Barrel Proof A123 Elijah Craig Barrel Proof B523 Elijah Craig Barrel Proof C923 Continuing to work through ECBPs in my collection. I’ve got several years and releases of ECBP; my only complete years for all three releases are 2017 and 2023. I’ve previously reviewed the ECBP A123 in a showdown with its Heaven Hill cousin, Larceny Barrel Proof A123 (October 11, 2023); but I’ve yet to review all three 2023 releases in “Showdown” format. In 2017, Elijah Craig introduced a new bottle and label. For the A117 release to the A123, the label at the bottom had three boxes: one for proof, one for ABV, and one for batch (i.e., A123). Each bottle carried a 12-year age statement. This changed with the B523 release, and thus far continues with the C923. These labels continue to show the proof in the first box, but the second box now shows the age statement, which is no longer only 12 years. The B523 is 11 years and 5 months; the C923 is 13 years and 7 months. 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). As of roughly a week ago: • 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 A123 Like each of these 2023 releases, the A123 color is a clear mahogany, like Pantone 159. caramelized sugar, root beer, pineapple upside down cake, barbecue sauce, caramel, maple syrup, chocolate pudding pie, and vanilla. There is a faint vegetal note like celery seed, but this only makes it more interesting. The amazing depth and breadth on the nose doesn’t miss a step on the palate, which is sweet and spicy. Some drying leather and lots of vanilla on the long finish. When I did a Showdown between the ECBP A123 and the Larceny Barrel Proof A123, I rated the ECBP 4.25 vs the LBP at 4.5. If that was accurate, I can’t wait to taste the LBP A123 again! Th ECBP A123 is very, very good. Would I buy it again? Yes. Elijah Craig Barrel Proof is the best value in all of bourbondom. And it’s not that $80 is “cheap”; rather, it is inexpensive relative to bourbon-price insanity, and represents amazing value in its combination of price, flavor, and proof. Easy 4.5 on the Distiller scale. My rating: 4.5 Community: m=4.42, z=1.13, n=49 (well above all ECBPs) 125.6 proof. 12-year age statement. Elijah Craig Barrel Proof B523 Like each of these 2023 releases, the B523 color is a clear mahogany, like Pantone 159. Muted nose compared to the A123 (although it does open up after 15+ minutes). Cocoa, pecan pie, marzipan, deep sandalwood, and a dusty dry leather note. It becomes much more assertive on the palate, with cola syrup and a deep honeyed sweetness, and the 124.2 proof (the lightest of the bunch) makes an appearance. That same assertiveness continues on the finish, with the dusty dry leather note making a second appearance, along with some slight bitterness and a hit of vanilla. As of last week, the Distiller community has ranked the B523 at 4.47, second only to the C523’s 4.49. I can’t agree with that. The nose is a wallflower compared to its A123 and C923 siblings, and that same nose is incongruous with its own palate as well. To be fair, these are high-class problems, manifest from high expectations. Would I buy it again? Yes. Of course I would. I’ve never been disappointed with any release of Elijah Craig Barrel Proof, and the fact that they can be found at $80 is just incredible. 4.25 on the Distiller scale. My rating: 4.25 Community: m=4.47, z=1.49, n=69 (well above than all ECBPs) 124.2 proof. 11-year, 5-month age statement. Elijah Craig Barrel Proof C923 Like each of these 2023 releases, the C923 color is a clear mahogany, like Pantone 159. Effusive, penetrating nose shows banana bread, brown sugar, rich apple pie, caramel, sweet and sour sauce, the same very light celery-seed note that I got on the A123, and a cooling hint of licorice. On the palate, the flavors coat the tongue, and the robust flavor intensity keeps the high 133 proof in check. Toasted marshmallow—including some that you let catch on fire and get a little burnt—on the finish, along with a little root beer and vanilla. Wow. Transcendent. ECBP C923 is on another level. Insofar that I can recall, this is my favorite release of ECBP. This bourbon can be found for $79.99, which is the best bourbon value I’ve ever come across (the A123 is not too far behind). Would I buy it again? Yes. Please, if you see any at retail, leave a comment below and I’ll be there ASAP. 4.75 on the Distiller scale. My rating: 4.75 Community: m=4.49, z=1.64, n=69 (significantly better than all ECBPs) 133.0 proof. 13-year, 7-month age statement. Overall, the B523 is the softest of the bunch, and was the easiest of the three to rank. It has the lowest age statement, and the lowest proof (just slightly lower than the A123). But that’s not a ding; it is very good. “Softest” is relative to the other two, and tasted alone, that same descriptor could come across as “smooth.” But the nose is AWOL in comparison. The A123 and C923, however, are on a different level, with robust aromatics and flavors from start to finish. As I’ve stated before, these “Showdown” formats aren’t necessarily meant to declare winners and losers, but rather to establish some context amongst various themes. For the 2023 releases of ECBP, however, there is a clear hierarchy: C923, closely followed by A123, and then B523. I’d happily drink the B523 neat and enjoy every sip. And to be clear, I’m not influenced by the fact that the May release is somewhat lower (11 years, 5 months) than ECBP’s typical 12-year age statement. It simply lacks the unbelievable intensity of the January and September 2023 releases. At some point down the road, I’ll do a Showdown between the ECBP B523 and the Larceny Barrel Proof B523; perhaps the ECBP will show differently against that backdrop. N.B.: All spirits tasted neat in a Glencairn glass.