Distiller: Elijah Craig

Release: 2018

Bourbon: Elijah Craig Small Batch 1789

Region: Bardstown, Kentucky

Price: $30

Proof: 94

Age: Not Available

The Barrel Cellar Score: 87

Review Date: 2/6/2019

Color: Russet

Nose: Green apple, leather, butter, brown sugar (neat).   Burnt sugar (2 cubes).

Taste: Medium to full bodied, has a slight oily mouthfeel. First taste (poured neat): leather, barnyard, and black pepper.  Drop a couple of ice cubes in your glass and the leather notes kick up a notch and a touch of vanilla comes through.  The ice also seems to transform the oily mouthfeel to a buttery finish.

Assessment: This bourbon holds character but is more bitter than I would like.  The nose is the strongest aspect of this release, but the character of this bourbon is a positive as well.  Upon the first sip it’s a bit of a punch to the senses; there are a lot of strong flavors that are tough to uncouple from one another.  After the bourbon breathes a bit it becomes easy to distinguish and appreciate the flavors.  This was my first experience with Elijah Craig and at this price I’m sure to buy more.

Consider Elijah Craig Small Batch 1789 if you are looking for a new go to bourbon; it’s good.  87 Points

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