Back in the day (to be fair, meaning just three or four years ago), there were a few batches of this seasonal release that weighed in very close to 70% ABV, which is so high it's almost unbearable. We tried one of these mashers, from 2016, and it was tough to chew through at times, although very rewarding on some (tiny) sips. This early 2019 release is the strongest Elijah Craig Barrel Proof to come out in years, but it's much better balanced and quite an accomplishment. If there are two immutable characteristics in every Elijah Craig, it's a heavy-metal chord of vanilla and a lumberyard worth of oak. That's exactly what we're dealing with here, along with bushels of black cherries, sweet tea, and sage. This is more of a dessert dram than recent releases, with a little less char and smoke, but these differences are marginal between batches at a certain point. Elijah Craig Barrel Proof is instantly recognizable, with a character possessed by no other bourbon that I've encountered. It's also my favorite bourbon, bar none, and this one just further confirms it.