For those unfamiliar, Elijah Craig was a baptist preacher who lived from 1738 to 1808 and is sometimes credited as the 'father of bourbon.' This has been widely disputed and debunked. Either way, it's a nice story and he was definitely a real person who distilled whiskey.
With that said, let's get started with the specifications.
Age: 8-12 years
Location Produced: Heaven Hill Bernheim Distillery
Mash Bill: 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% barley
Aroma (from manufacturer): Delightfully complex with notes of vanilla bean, sweet fruit, and fresh mint
Taste (from manufacturer): Smooth and warm; pleasantly woody with accents of spice, smoke, and nutmeg
Finish (from manufacturer): Long, sweet, and slightly toasty
Alcohol: 47%
Who is this for?: Reverends, Fathers, Friars, People named Craig. Individuals looking for a reasonably priced bourbon.
Cost (Ohio): $27.99 + tax.
Let's start the review.
Taste - Score 25 out of 35
On the nose, I picked up the traditional bourbon oak smell, as well as hints of fruit (banana) and a bit of smoke. Other reviewers picked up honey, toffee, and caramel.
On the taste, I picked up a lot of wood with a heavy smoke taste. Others picked up honey and vanilla and they felt it had a thinner feel on the mouth.
For me, the smoke was a bit much straight. However, when we added water, it became much more enjoyable.
Smoothness/Finish - Score 16 out of 25On the taste, I picked up a lot of wood with a heavy smoke taste. Others picked up honey and vanilla and they felt it had a thinner feel on the mouth.
For me, the smoke was a bit much straight. However, when we added water, it became much more enjoyable.
Decently smooth with a Long Kentucky hug and with a floral/herbal. McMillianiare picked up spicy/fusel notes.
Intangibles: Color/Appearance - Score 12 out of 15
The color of the Elijah Craig small batch is what you would expect from a bourbon. A nice amber/brown color. In the comparison, it comes in darker than the High West as well as the Bulleit 12 year.
For the bottle, it's a very unique shape with a big cork. I like how it is different than every other bottle out there.
Availability - Score 5 out of 5
Very easy to find and readily available throughout Ohio.
Overall Value - Score 13.5 out of 20
For my first experience with Elijah Craig, I found it to be a bit too smokey for my taste. However, when I cut it with water, it was much more approachable and I understand the appeal. At this price point, this has a lot of uniqueness and I could see buying this as a thank you or housewarming gift. It has a strong character and a nice appeal, it just isn't the bourbon that best fits my palate.
Final Score: 71.5 out of 100 - Some uniqueness and could be good in the right situation
No comments:
Post a Comment