Elijah Craig Barrel Proof, B524

I’d like to thank Heaven Hill for providing this review sample with no strings attached.

IMAGE: A bottle of Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Proof: 130.6, Age: 12 Years, Batch No: B524, Alc/Vol: 65.3%, placed on a wooden surface outdoors.

Ok. So I use ChatGPT to write the Alt Text description for the cover images because I am always a bit amazed at what it pulls from the photo that I don’t think about mentioning. I don’t need to count the words, I just say “Summarize this photo in 150 characters or less” and it spits out something that works. (If you were unaware, Alt Text is the short bit of text that is included in the website code so that the image is adequately described for those who use a screen reader. I mean it’s an easy thing to include, why would I want to alienate someone from reading my writing just because they don’t see as well as I do?)

So I was doing that and, as I often do, I asked it to come up with something on the fly. I’m old enough that these Large Language Models are basically magic to me (much like VCRs, personal computers, the internet, and streaming video were before it). Because I will spend much of the weekend moving eight cubic yards of mulch from my driveway to our garden, I asked it to write something lamenting that fact that then transitions into the intro to this review. I didn’t expect the AI to write anything that I would use, but it was the thing on my mind. I learned a long time ago that as a creative person, sometimes you need to work through a bad idea so your brain can give up on it in order to move on to a good one. In my puny human brain, I thought that maybe I could outsource that step to the AI. But then the damn thing wrote a poem. And for some reason, I found that mildly amusing. And so, since we’ve been covering Elijah Craig Barrel Proof three times a year since 2019, I figured, I would share that poem. I mean, you guys know what is going on with this product by now.

A Mulch Mover's Lament

In the sweltering heat of June, I toiled,
Eight cubic yards of mulch, sweat-soaked and soiled.
With every shovel's lift and wheelbarrow's haul,
My weary muscles strained, yet stood tall.

The sun bore down, unyielding in its glare,
Each mound of mulch seemed a mountain to bear.
Blisters formed and my back cried out in pain,
Yet onward I pushed, again and again.

The scent of fresh earth filled the air around,
A bittersweet reminder of the task so profound.
As hours stretched on and shadows grew long,
My strength began to waver, though my will remained strong.

But as the final pile was spread and laid,
A sense of accomplishment gently stayed.
Exhaustion gave way to a quiet pride,
In the garden's transformation, far and wide.

A Well-Deserved Reward

After such a grueling day of laborious care,
A moment of respite was beyond compare.
I reached for a bottle, rich and profound,
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof, a treasure to be found.

With its deep amber hue and robust grace,
This bourbon promised a sensory embrace.
At 130.6 proof, it stood bold and tall,
A spirit to savor as evening began to fall.

Join me as I uncork this barrel-aged delight,
And journey through flavors, rich and bright.
From mulch to masterpiece, the day's work now done,
Let's explore this bourbon, sip by glorious sip, one by one.

Ok. See? This shit is weird. Which is why I like to play with it. I honestly didn’t even consider a poem. And by the way, because I drink a lot of bourbon, the pain it references will be there, but muscles standing tall? Not so much.

Anyway, let’s see if this beast of a bourbon is any good, shall we?

Elijah Craig Barrel Proof, B524

Purchase Info: This sample was provided at no charge by the producer for review purposes. The suggested retail price is $74.99.

Price per Drink (50 mL): $5.00

Details: 65.3% ABV. 11 years, 2 months.

Nose: Vanilla, caramel, cinnamon, cherry, chocolate, and oak.

Mouth: Vanilla, caramel, cinnamon, chocolate, nutmeg, oak, and a hint of mint.

Finish: Long and warm with lingering notes of nutmeg, allspice, and chocolate.

Thoughts/Comparison to last time: The noses are very similar with A124 showing the same notes, just more pronounced. B524 is sweet, spicy, and very hot. A124 feels almost cool by comparison and shows more cherry/fruit in the mouth. B524 is very "stereotypical bourbon” in the best possible way and I am loving it. Both are delicious but give me B524 if I get to choose.

If you want to support our work at BourbonGuy.com, please consider a one-time donation at ko-fi.com/bourbonguy or paypal.me/BourbonGuy. Or you could buy some merch that I’ve designed and/or built (tasting journals, t-shirts, stickers, pins, signs, posters, and more) at BourbonGuyGifts.com. Use code BOURBONGUYREADER at checkout for 5% off any order of $50 or more.

Larceny Barrel Proof, B524

I’d like to thank Heaven Hill for providing this review sample with no strings attached.

This will be the fourteenth look at Larceny Barrel Proof. We’ve been reviewing and enjoying it since the beginning. That said, I was thinking that maybe we’ve done it a little too often.

Then, I looked at the analytics. You guys really seem to enjoy them. Or rather, Google does. In any case, these Heaven Hill Barrel Proof reviews get a lot more traffic than others, so I’m just going to keep riding it. Plus, it’s a whiskey that I don’t have to buy. And I like not buying whiskey almost as much as I enjoy drinking whiskey. When I was growing up, when asked what his favorite beer was, my uncle would always say “free.” As I get older, I see more and more wisdom in that statement.

Anyway, like I said, we’ve looked at this thirteen times previously, so you all know what is going on. Let’s just jump into the review.

Larceny Barrel Proof, B524

Purchase Info: This sample was provided by Heaven Hill for review purposes. The suggested retail price is $64.99

Price per Drink (50 mL): $4.33

Details: 62.7% ABV. 6-8 years old, per the press release

Nose: Cinnamon, brown sugar, and oak.

Mouth: Black tea, cinnamon, chocolate, and floral notes.

Finish: Warm and on the longer end of medium with notes of cinnamon, oak, mint, and chocolate.

Thoughts/Comparison to last time: B524 shows more sweet cinnamon on the nose. On the mouth, I'd say that B524 is sweeter and more vibrant, while A124 is richer in flavor. Both are good, and my wife and I are split over which one we like better. I prefer the rich caramel and oak notes of A124, while she prefers the sweet and vibrant B524. But I like both and this one gets a smiley face from me.

If you want to support our work at BourbonGuy.com, please consider a one-time donation at ko-fi.com/bourbonguy or paypal.me/BourbonGuy. Or you could buy some merch that I’ve designed and/or built (tasting journals, t-shirts, stickers, pins, signs, posters, and more) at BourbonGuyGifts.com. Use code BOURBONGUYREADER at checkout for 5% off any order of $50 or more.

Blood Oath Pact 10

I’d like to thank ByrnePR and Lux Row for providing this review sample with no strings attached.

Hello, my friends! As I write this, I am in the midst of last-minute packing for a flight to Albuquerque. My wife is currently there for a work training seminar and we thought it might be nice for me to join her for the weekend after it’s finished. You know, get away before the summer rush happens in our dog-sitting business. By the time you read this, I will probably be in the air sipping a glass of bourbon while watching a movie.

But since I am super busy tonight, and since we’ve covered all of the Blood Oath releases but the second over the last ten years, I thought I’d just pull an extended excerpt from the press release to help explain what is going on in this version rather than skipping the post and waiting until next week.

ST. LOUIS (April 23, 2024) – Lux Row Master Distiller and Master Blender John Rempe marks a decade of distinction – and secrecy – as he renews his annual pact with bourbon drinkers by releasing Blood Oath Pact 10 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey double finished in Cabernet Franc and Merlot casks. A limited supply of 17,000 (3-in) cases will arrive at retail this month at a suggested price of $129.99 per 750 ml bottle. As with all of Rempe’s pacts, Blood Oath Pact 10 is offered at 98.6 proof (49.3% ABV).

Blood Oath Pact 10 combines some of the finest rare bourbons Rempe could find, including two well-bred ryed bourbons and one finished bourbon each complementing the others. In honor of Blood Oath’s double-digit age milestone, Rempe achieved a double finish for this year’s special, secret blend. The first finish was perfected in Cabernet Franc barrels, imbuing rich flavors of tart raspberries and black pepper. The second finish was refined in Merlot barrels, instilling the tastes of red stone fruits with undertones of vanilla, cocoa and anise. The result is a delicious and distinctive pour.

For a decade Rempe has sought out famous and forgotten rare bourbons and bottled them in combinations for his limited-release Blood Oath Pacts. Not to cater to anyone’s loyalties, he has sworn to never reveal where he finds his bourbon, but only promises to choose and make the best he knows.

“We wanted to create something truly distinctive and unique to mark our 10th edition of Blood Oath and we did just that,” said Rempe. “For this offering I sourced three extraordinary bourbons that could be elevated even further through a double finish in Cabernet Franc and Merlot casks, and would ultimately deliver the kind of rich, fruit-forward notes and smooth drinking experience I wanted to achieve. It’s a superb blend and I’m excited to share it.”

So now that you know what is going on, let’s get back to what you are actually here for. How does it taste?

Blood Oath Pact 10

Purchase Info: The producer provided me with this sample bottle at no charge for review purposes. The suggested retail price for a 750 mL bottle is $129.99.

Price per Drink (50 mL): $8.67

Details: 49.3% ABV. Part of the blend was barrel-finished in Cabernet Franc and Merlot Casks.

Nose: Caramel, cherry, tobacco, and smoky oak.

Mouth: Cinnamon spice, caramel, tobacco, and oak.

Finish: Medium in warmth and length. Notes of caramel-covered red fruit, tobacco, oak, and after a bit, cinnamon pops back up.

Thoughts: This is a pretty consistent flavor experience from nose to finish, with many of the same notes popping up throughout. The mouth starts out sweet, but the longer you hold it in there to tease out the notes, the more the sweetness fades to dry oak notes. This is delicious! My wife has declared that if we see this, she is buying a bottle. That is considerable praise from someone who is as frugal as a long-time accountant can be. I really like it too.

If you want to support our work at BourbonGuy.com, please consider a one-time donation at ko-fi.com/bourbonguy or paypal.me/BourbonGuy. Or you could buy some merch that I’ve designed and/or built (tasting journals, t-shirts, stickers, pins, signs, posters, and more) at BourbonGuyGifts.com. Use code BOURBONGUYREADER at checkout for 5% off any order of $50 or more.

Ezra Brooks 99 Port Wine Cask Finish

I’d like to thank Byrne PR and Lux Row Distillery for providing this review sample with no strings attached.

I have a very short list of what I look for in a bourbon.

  1. Inexpensive.

  2. Rich mouthfeel.

  3. Full-flavored.

  4. Spicy.

  5. Sweet.

  6. Inexpensive.

My wife and I are very frugal people, but don’t mistake that for being cheap. My hobbies are whiskey and vinyl records, for goodness sake. No, we are frugal. We consider where our money is being spent and if we are spending it appropriately. We will buy expensive items, but only if our research shows that those items are worth the extra cost. It’s a holdover from growing up in poverty and spending the first twenty years of our relationship trying to learn how to climb out (hint: luck was more important than hard work…though both were necessary).

That’s one of the reasons I love getting samples from Lux Row. Not only are they usually delicious, but they are normally priced well enough that I don’t feel guilty or feel like I’m bragging too much when I recommend them. Sure, they make some very tasty high-priced bourbons. But they also have delicious ones that won’t cause you to choose between a bottle of whiskey or paying your electric bill on time.

A case in point is tonight’s Port Wine cask-finished bourbon. Its suggested retail price is $35. In today’s whiskey market, that’s almost bottom-shelf pricing. I exaggerate, but not by much. In fact, whiskey prices have risen so much since I started this site that I continuously need to reassess if I keep it going (I started it with what I thought was an obscene limit of $80 per month…don’t ask what I spent last year). This is why I am incredibly thankful to the readers who tip me a coffee, buy merch, or even just comment and interact.

So, let’s get back to this reasonably priced bourbon, shall we? This is the standard Ezra Brooks mash bill of 78% corn, 10% rye, and 12% malted barley, aged and finished for an additional six months in Port wine casks before being bottled at 99 proof. Here is what the producer has to say about it:

“We created Ezra Brooks 99 Port Wine Cask Finish for bourbon fans looking for an elevated taste profile and unique flavor option,” said Eric Winter, Ezra Brooks brand manager. “Lux Row Master Distiller John Rempe was intrigued by the juxtaposition of ryed bourbon’s spicy flavor profile and the sweeter, dark fruit notes often found in port wines.”

Now, the part we’ve all been waiting for: let’s dig in.

Ezra Brooks 99 Port Wine Cask Finish

Purchase Info: This bottle was sent by the producer at no charge for review purposes. The suggested retail price is $34.99 per 750 mL bottle.

Price per Drink (50 mL): $2.33

Details: 49.5% ABV. Mash Bill: 78% corn, 10% rye, and 12% malted barley. Secondary aging in port wine cask for six months.

Nose: Cinnamon, raspberry, black tea, and hints of rose petals and oak.

Mouth: Spicy cinnamon candies, caramel, chocolate, and oak.

Finish: Medium in length and warmth with notes of Big Red Gum, caramel, floral mint, and oak.

Thoughts: This is quite tasty. It's nice and spicy, so if that isn't your thing, it plays nicely with a splash of water. Water tames some of the spice but also dulls the finish a bit, so to each their own on this point. It has nice oak, cinnamon, and lovely floral and red fruit notes. This is pretty damn good. I like it.

If you want to support our work at BourbonGuy.com, please consider a one-time donation at ko-fi.com/bourbonguy or paypal.me/BourbonGuy. Or you could buy some merch that I’ve designed and/or built (tasting journals, t-shirts, stickers, pins, signs, posters, and more) at BourbonGuyGifts.com. Use code BOURBONGUYREADER at checkout for 5% off any order of $50 or more.

Rolling Rooster Bourbon

I’d like to thank Shore Fire Media for sending over this sample with no strings attached.

St. Augustine of Hippo is one of the last big Roman Religious Philosophers of a united Roman Empire. During his lifetime, the Western Roman Empire collapsed during the so-called Fall of Rome. He was extremely influential in the development of Western Catholic Christianity and its many, many offspring. As both a Catholic (and Eastern Orthodox) saint, he has a Feast Day in his honor each year. For the oh-so-Catholic Spanish explorers, that would be on the 28th of August each year (the date is different for those who follow Eastern Orthodoxy).

None of that has more than a passing relationship to tonight’s bourbon except as an origin of the name of the distillery that produced tonight’s Bourbon. But since I am a Roman history buff (and, more specifically, an Eastern Roman/Byzantine history buff), I take all the opportunities I can to bring it up. I am literally the recent meme about how often a man thinks of the Roman Empire.

St. Augustine Distillery is located in St. Augustine, Florida, the second oldest city of European origin in a United States territory (the oldest being San Juan, PR). It was named because the Spanish explorer who founded the city did so shortly after sighting the land that would become Florida on St. Augustine’s Feast Day in 1565.

I’ve driven through St. Augustine on my first, and probably last, road trip to the Florida Keys. That is a very long drive from Minnesota. It was a lovely city that I never saw much of as I was having a massive anxiety attack and could not bring myself to stop. I know that I drove past a beautiful old Spanish fort/United States National Monument while in the city. This means I could have possibly driven right past the building where the distillery is currently. It was a while ago, so I really don’t remember much, especially with the anxiety attack.

St. Augustine Distillery makes bourbon, rum, gin and vodka. They made tonight’s bourbon as a collaboration with musical artist J.J. Grey of Jacksonville, Florida. Quoting from the press release:

Inspired by Grey's deep-rooted connection to the South and his love for the soulful flavors of home, Rolling Rooster is a bourbon that personifies the spirit of Southern comfort. "Warm and fuzzy at the top, with a tiny hint of cocoa before it spreads out wide across the palate," Grey described, "No matter how far I travel, it always brings me back home." Richard deMontmollin, VP of Production at St. Augustine Distillery, echoed Grey's sentiments, stating, "When I was asked if we could create a bourbon with JJ Grey, I was over the moon. JJ brought the soul, we brought the juice, and it's all in perfect harmony." 

Let’s dig in, shall we?

Rolling Rooster Bourbon

Purchase Info: This bottle was sent to me at no charge by the producer for review purposes. The suggested retail price is $100 per bottle.

Price per Drink (50 mL): $6.67

Details: 51% ABV. Release number 1. Bottle 0526. According to the PR Agency, all of the bourbon used in this project was at least four years old.

Nose: Dried grains, orange zest, black tea, and smoky oak.

Mouth: Cinnamon, black tea, and oak.

Finish: Medium length and warm. Notes of cinnamon, mint, dried grains, and black tea.

Thoughts: Have you ever noticed how sometimes you taste a really great wine or bourbon in the tasting room, and once you get it home, you are less happy with it? The ambiance of the tasting room affects your perception and enjoyment of what you are tasting. The same goes for great conversation with friends. Well, I have a feeling that this bourbon would be one of those that I really like at the distillery. However, at home with my wife, doing a structured tasting, I’m neutral on it. There are no obvious flaws, but it just doesn’t align with my palate. There is a lot going on in here. It is full of flavor and has a lot of things to like, but the flavor profile just isn't for me. I'm not a fan of strong, unsweetened black tea, which this has in spades. I also don’t prefer grain-forward bourbons, and this is one. That said, I couldn’t fault anyone else for absolutely loving it if that is a flavor profile that works for them. Hence, the neutral rating: this bourbon’s not for me, but it might be for you.

Though it isn’t supposed to be released until late May, the first batch of this product has already sold out during pre-order. One thing music fans and craft distillery fans have in common is that they are both great at supporting those they love. So, if you’d like to sign up for information on the release of a second batch, you can do so here: www.jjgrey.com/rollingrooster.

If you want to support our work at BourbonGuy.com, please consider a one-time donation at ko-fi.com/bourbonguy or paypal.me/BourbonGuy. Or you could buy some merch that I’ve designed and/or built (tasting journals, t-shirts, stickers, pins, signs, posters, and more) at BourbonGuyGifts.com. Use code BOURBONGUYREADER at checkout for 5% off any order of $50 or more.

Coppercraft Straight Bourbon Whiskey

I’d like to thanks CraftCo and their PR team for sending me this sample with no strings attached.

I know it doesn’t seem like it from the outside, but I don’t accept every sample request that comes my way. I run everything through a filter of “Will anyone be interested in this?” before I say yes to an offer of samples. Most of the ones I turn down are regional craft distilleries that don’t have a wide distribution or are just another bourbon that was “Distilled in Indiana.” The draw of a sample isn’t the free whiskey—don’t get me wrong, that is a nice perk—but instead, the idea that I can give some insight into things that you guys might be searching for.

That’s how this one ended up on the “yes” pile. Sure, it might be “Distilled in Indiana,” but it was being pushed by a big PR agency. And I know this one does a pretty decent job of getting the word out to people. So, it is my guess that you guys have been or will be seeing this brand pop up on your feeds. You might even be searching Google looking for a review to see if it is any good. And so it makes sense for me, helpful dude that I am, to let you know if I like it and if it is worth the asking price.

So let’s get into it, shall we?

Coppercraft is a craft distillery in Holland, Michigan, a small city on the shores of Lake Michigan. It was founded in 2012 and produces Gin, Vodka, Applejack, Rum, sourced Bourbon, and a Rye that is a blend of sourced whiskey and its own in-house distilled rye. Of those, the Rye and the Applejack are most interesting to me. And as that rye looks to be distributed here in Minnesota, I’m sure you will be seeing it show up here in the future.

But we are looking at the bourbon tonight. According to the Coppercraft website, this is a blend of four- and nine-year-old Indiana bourbons that are then left to mingle in a barrel for three additional months before bottling. This is an interesting idea, but an idea will only get you so far, so let’s see how it tastes.

Coppercraft Straight Bourbon

Purchase Info: This bottle was provided by the producer at no charge for review purposes. The suggested retail price is $49.99.

Price per Drink (50 mL): $3.33

Details: 48.5% ABV

Nose: Red fruit, oak, caramel, and vanilla.

Mouth: Cinnamon, red fruits, caramel, vanilla, and oak.

Finish: Warm and medium to long. Notes of leather, cinnamon, caramel, and oak.

Thoughts: This is pretty damn good. I expected as much when I saw" Distilled in Indiana” on the label, but it is always nice to have confirmation. At $50 per bottle, you will need to decide for yourself if a sourced whiskey is worth that to you. I can tell you that it has a pretty stereotypical" Bourbon" flavor profile, which is nice. That’s the profile I fell in love with when I got into bourbon and the one I turn to most often when I buy bottles that aren’t just for website content. I like it.

If you want to support our work at BourbonGuy.com, please consider a one-time donation at ko-fi.com/bourbonguy or paypal.me/BourbonGuy. Or you could buy some merch that I’ve designed and/or built (tasting journals, t-shirts, stickers, pins, signs, posters, and more) at BourbonGuyGifts.com. Use code BOURBONGUYREADER at checkout for 5% off any order of $50 or more.