Elijah Craig Barrel Proof A121
A new year, a new set of barrel proof bourbon batches - Elijah Craig Barrel Proof, Larceny, Booker’s, all the favorites. This year, Heaven Hill released Larceny Barrel Proof A121 first, with Elijah Craig Barrel Proof A121 shortly after, and Booker’s released batch 2021-01 “Donahoe’s Batch” in late February/early March.
If you’ve visited the site before, you know my love for ECBP runs deep (take a look at my page on the old labels - as of now I’m missing just a single bottle to complete the vertical!). Alongside Booker’s, it’s one of the two product lines with multiple batches per year for which I will try each one, no matter what the early reviews are like. For that reason, I tend to avoid those reviews before trying (and then voraciously consume them afterward).
This batch had a glaring difference from most of the recent batches - a significantly lower proof (for ECBP, at least). At 123.6º, batch number A121 is below even the first Booker’s batch of the year (those tend to be around 123-127º).
To be honest, I didn’t miss the proof. I love it hot, but never for the sake of heat - if it’s so hot I can’t taste anything, then what’s the point. If you can make a whiskey at 140º that is still flavorful, go for it - but I’m not going to go proof hunting just for Ss & Gs.
What I wasn’t a huge fan of on this batch was the oak. Part of the reason I didn’t miss the proof was the overpowering oaky wood and black pepper, simultaneously drying and tingling my palate for longer than I cared for.
The nose was also different - not bad, different. When I think of pure bourbon power, especially on the nose, I think of ECBP. Caramel, vanilla, a little oak, lots of dark sugar. This nose was uncharacteristically rye-forward, with black licorice a distinct note. Not unpleasant (I’m one of those weirdos who really loves black licorice) but unexpected.
So, at the end of the day, where did this fall?
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof A121: Specs
Classification: Bourbon
Origin: Heaven Hill Distillery
Mashbill: 78% Corn, 10% Rye, 12% Malted Barley
Proof: 123.6 (62.8% ABV)
Age: 12 Years Old
Location: Kentucky
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Batch A121 Price: $70
Elijah Craig A121 Review: Tasting Notes
Eye: Dark maple syrup. Thin disappearing rims and no legs.
Nose: A much more rye-forward nose than I’ve ever gotten on other releases of Elijah Craig Barrel Proof. Black licorice and vanilla saltwater taffy. Some proof heat, not too much, with cocoa powder and dried cherries.
Palate: Warming, growing spice across my tongue. Drinks a bit hot at first. The pepper numbs slightly, allowing dark chocolate-covered cherries to open up. This is pretty oaky too, with creamy and woody oak present in full. Mouthfeel is thinner than I’d like, velvety, with the oak overtaking the flavor.
Finish: Baking chocolate, medium length, with oak spice and whole cloves being burned.
Overall: An eh start to the 2021 batches. In fairness, I don’t usually enjoy the “A” batches as much for whatever reason - this one’s reason was the oakiness. The nose is noticeably more rye-forward, a profile that does not carry over to the palate. I’m really fascinated why I don’t like “A” batches as much…maybe because they’re dumped in the winter there’s something different in how the whiskey expresses itself? A good question for whiskey scientists to address.
Final Rating: 5.6
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)
1 | Disgusting | Drain pour (Virginia Distilling Co. Cider Cask)
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