elijah craig barrel proof bourbon whiskey

Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Batch C922 Bourbon Review

On first lifting the glass sweet bread pudding, confectioners sugar, and the rest of a proper patisserie rise to meet the nose deftly. Vanilla married in molasses coats the tight-grained oak cutting board in front of me. Visions come to mind of honey drizzles over a charcuterie board of sharp cheeses (not present in the aromas, just a mental proximity). There's just a hint of something savory lingering in the background. Soft black pepper gently contrasts a silky graham cracker cream pie. A swirl of the glass turns everything bright; white pepper vanilla bean, and funky Spring florals jump out at me. I keep running into a fairly solid wall of well-aged oak, so I'll have a sip to see if we can't find some more at play here. Returning to the nose I find the barrel influence has been cranked up to 11 and it's old, leathery & delicious in the nose. Aromas of dates and figs battle at times where sweet meets savory. It's both a delicate & robust balance of flavor and finesse. The empty glass smells of honeysuckle, orange marmalade, and pure, silky vanilla perfume. Palate: My first sip is delectable. Buttercream frosting, eggnog and vanilla ice cream dance on the tongue before a burst of creamy cherry hots slides down the chest. I've got to admit - it's love at first sip here. There is a thick mouth coating of dark chocolate mixed with caramel and peanut M&M's that is prevalent everywhere that the liquid passed by. Another sip is heftier but still balanced and approachable. I find milk duds, maraschino cherry ice cream, caramel milk shake and buttery crescent rolls. I'm loving all the dessert flavors that are being stirred up here. A larger sip and swish does elicit some of the latent spice, but it's still all baked-in, not a dominant characteristic. Overall this is a creamy, dreamy, delicious pour. My last sip is a treat again after a sip of water. The buttery bakery tones return incredibly strong & leave me with an impossibly long linger of a Danish pastry.

Will keep a bottle of this on hand.

I have been drinking quite a few barrel strength whiskies lately and this has been my favorite so far, excellent product.