Elijah Craig Barrel Proof B520

BourbonReviewsHeaven HillElijah Craig

Sep 16

Written By David Levine

Elijah Craig Barrel Proof B520

Heaven Hill

63.6% ABV/127.2 Proof

12 YO

Eye: Amber maple syrup, thin rim and droplet, syrupy legs.

Nose: Warm baked goods, sweet brioche with hints of vanilla and no burn on the nose.

Palate: Rich, from-the-barrel flavors. Tingles the tongue and coats the mouth without blowing your palate. Really excellent. Second sip highlights oak spice and lets the vanilla and caramel build a viscous mouthfeel with dried fruits towards the end. Viscous and coating throughout.

Finish: Long Kentucky hug, slightly numbing, Bourbon-infused baked goods through and through.

Overall: Everything a bourbon should be and more. Would be even higher if the nose were a little stronger.

Rating: 8.9

10 | Insurpassable | Nothing Else Comes Close (Blanton’s Straight from the Barrel)

9 | Incredible | Extraordinary (GTS, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof B518 and B520)

8 | Excellent | Exceptional (12+YO MGP Bourbon, Highland Park Single Barrels)

7 | Great | Well above average (Blanton’s Original, Old Weller Antique, Booker’s)

6 | Very Good | Better than average (Four Roses Small Batch Select, Knob Creek 14+ YO Picks)

5 | Good | Good, solid, ordinary (Elijah Craig Small Batch, Buffalo Trace, Old Grand-Dad Bottled-in-Bond)

4 | Sub-par | Many things I’d rather have (A.D. Laws Four Grain, Compass Box “Oak Cross”)

3 | Bad | Flawed (Iron Smoke Bourbon, Balcones)

2 | Poor | Forced myself to drink it (Buckshee Bourbon and Rye)