I’d like to thank Heaven Hill for providing this review sample with no strings attached.
May is a weird-ass time in Minnesota. We’ve been blessed with wonderful weather this year. But I noticed in my Facebook memories this week that we’ve had both days over 100° F and snowy days during the time I’ve lived here. I thought about this when I noticed that everyone in my neighborhood is building gardens.
I’ve had a garden for the entire time I’ve lived in Minnesota (and yet, I am just now getting around to building a permanent fence…huh). It’s nice to see other people getting into the hobby. I do feel a little bad for some of them though when I see that they have planted already. We never plant until Memorial Day. The ground is still too cold and you never know when you will get a freak snowstorm coming through.
It’s nice to get a decent May this year though. It’s like the weather said: “Well, you can’t go anywhere so I might as well let you work in the yard.“ An even nicer thing than the weather that is happening in May is the release of the next batch of Elijah Craig Barrel Proof. I’m going to give you a little spoiler: this might be my favorite yet.
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof, Batch B520
Purchase info: This sample was graciously provided by Heaven Hill for review purposes. Locally Elijah Craig Barrel Proof sells for as low as $64.99 for a 750 mL bottle when not on sale.
Price per Drink (50 mL): $4.33
Details: 63.6% ABV, 12 years old
Nose: Brown sugar, caramel, vanilla, cocoa, and oak.
Mouth: Sweet and hot. Caramel, vanilla, baking spice, and a little mint.
Finish: Warm, sweet, and long. Lingering caramel, baking spice, dark chocolate and smokey oak.
Thoughts: This is thick, rich, syrupy, and oh, so sweet. It's like a glass of bourbon syrup. And boy, is it ever delicious. I was a big fan of the first release of 2020, but I think I like this one even more. I’m loving the dark chocolate and the strong oak notes on the finish. I love the overall rich sweetness of it. This is pretty close to a perfect bourbon for me. I love it. I would recommend a little ice though.
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