Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Bourbon Review (A125)

By Richard Thomas

Rating: A-

The new batch of Elijah Craig Barrel Proof is now in circulation, and as soon as I scrutinized the label on my bottle I saw something that I knew would surely excite croaking in certain corners: the age statement for A125 is 10 years, 7 months. The croakers were not pleased with Heaven Hill’s abandonment of the 12 year age statement on Elijah Craig Barrel Proof in 2023, and although this crowd is not as loud as they were a decade ago (either in relative or absolute terms), they never reconciled them to the change.

Fixating on the age statement, however, misses the most interesting part about ECBP A125 (yes, that is a mouthful of code): it is 118.2 proof. The circles of croakers and “hazmat,” ultra high proof whiskey lovers overlap to a certain degree, so I am sure that is not a selling point for them. For the rest of us, however, most cask strength whiskeys are not at their best in and of themselves, but serve more as concentrates, because it’s always a good idea to dial them down with added water. That is especially the case for whiskeys bottled at 120 or above proof (60%+ ABV). The expression typically floats in the 120s, and the last time it was below 120 was four years ago.

Being under 120 proof, this ECBP batch opens the possibility that it might be good to drink as is. Insofar as I am concerned, it is. Strong, but not overpoweringly so.

The Bourbon
The pour into my Glencairn came across as a light, bright amber whiskey. The nose smacks of candy corn and vanilla custard, suggesting a chewy, sweet, but also slightly earthy goodness awaits. Accenting that main body of scent is a pinch of cookie spices, nutmeg in the main, and some oak charcoal.

The flavor develops that same profile. The candy corn and vanilla custard still lie at the center, but the spice blend picks up some cinnamon and a pinch of dried orange zest to go with the nutmeg. The oak charcoal remains, but very much in the background. The 59% ABV finally shows itself on the finish; without some water, that runs hot, so hot one gets the oak, but not much else. Still, a finish with a bit of a wince on it is entirely in keeping with whiskey drinking. If you do not like it, add water.

This current batch of Elijah Craig Barrel Proof is imminently drinkable. If you listen to the croakers, you’ll pass on it. If you listen to folks who know sometimes raw age has little to do with how maturation and batching turned out in practice, you’ll snag a bottle of what is one of the best ECBP releases in years.

The Price
Officially, this item goes for $75, and you can probably pick it up for exactly that price too. Compare that to its nearest peer among the Kentucky Majors, Booker’s, which bears a $90 price tag.