This is my first introduction to Elijah Craig’s barrel proof offerings, but it won’t be the last — it’s everything I love about “regular” Elijah, turned up to 11. The palette is full of caramel and vanilla sweetness, but don’t savor it *too* long or the proof catches up with alcohol vapors burning your lungs. Personally, I enjoy the challenge. Do it right, and you get a well-rounded flavor explosion of ... cinnamon sugar donuts? Yeah, let’s roll with that. Linger too long and, well, are you really surprised 127 proof takes your breath away? The finish is long and warm, more sweet than spicy, leaving perhaps the most quintessential “bourbon” aftertaste. This is an extra heavy dose of the classic flavors that got me into bourbon, it’s not taking me in any new directions, and that’s fine by me.