Background: This whiskey is produced by Heaven Hill distillery in Kentucky. Made with the same mashbill as the other bourbons in the Elijah Craig line this one has been aged for 18 years before being bottled at 90 proof.
ABV: 45%
Nose: A strong forward nose of Oak and caramel, not overpowering though. I had feared this would be an over oaked bomb but it was not. Under those two notes, vanilla, leather, and a hint of tobacco. All the things you would want in a bourbon but this is so well melded together.
Palate: A warm thick oily feel, heavy oak and vanilla throughout. On subsequent sips, you get the caramel and leather. This is quite good and the palate makes you keep coming back for more sips.
Finish: A nice long finish, one of the longest I have had in a bourbon. Rich Oak and leather begins and lingers that slowly fades into a hint of vanilla and caramel.
Conclusion: For a non-cask strength bourbon, this is up there with my favorites. The warmth and depth of those usual bourbon notes with the tasty oak there but not overpowering makes this an ideal spot to age in my mind. Warm oak and vanilla with leather and caramel make me want a bottle of this too, or wish they would put more stock of it back. This was fantastic and would gladly keep coming back for more.
Rating: 8/10
1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out.
2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice.
3 | Bad | Multiple flaws.
4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but better exists.
5 | Good | Good, just fine.
6 | Very Good | A cut above.
7 | Great | Well above average
8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional.
9 | Incredible | An all time favorite
10 | Perfect | Perfect