Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Bourbon Batch C917

Elijah Craig Barrel Proof: B517 vs C917 Elijah Craig Barrel Proof (ECBP) is one of my favorite bourbons. Heaven Hill, the distillery for Elijah Craig, releases ECBP three times per year (January, May, September), with a four-character code: January is “A1” (A for first release; 1 for the month of January); May is “B5” (B for the second release; 5 for the month of May); and September is “C9” (C for the third release; 9 for the month of September). The second two characters correspond to the last two digits of a particular year. Thus “B517” is the second release, in May, in the year 2017. All ECBP have a 12-year age statement, and proof typically ranges from around 120 to nearly 140. Caveat bibitor. I did a side-by-side tasting of ECBP B520 and A122 on June 25, 2022; this tasting compares B517 and C917. B517 (62.1% ABV): Clear and dark orange mahogany color. Upon opening, the nose was reticent vs the C917, but opened up with air. The expected ethanol (this is barrel-proof bourbon) is not out of balance with root beer concentrate, cut hay, maple syrup, Thai basil, roasted marshmallow, vanilla cake, and spearmint. Cinnamon red hots and espresso finishes with some drying tannins and vanilla on the finish. 4.25 on the Distiller scale. C917 (65.5% ABV): Clear and dark orange mahogany color; indistinguishable from the B517. But the nose immediately differentiates itself: it is far more effusive and ebullient, showing candy apple, cola, chocolate-covered cherries, and vanilla with intoxicating intensity. There is a similarly boisterous palate, which piles on with the addition of sweet pipe tobacco. The vanilla finish goes on and on and on. The incredible aromatics and palate intensity more than stands up to the hazmat proof. Outstanding; few bourbons reach these heights. 4.75 on the Distiller scale. Going back and forth between the two reveals a significant difference. The B517 is very good, but lacks the depth and breadth of the C917. If the B517 is a Porsche 911, then the C917 is a GT3 RS. This is a not-insignificant difference. Despite these differences, the consistent quality and hedonistic pleasure that both of these bottles affords illustrates why each release of ECBP goes into my inventory whether tasted already or not. Irrespective of release, bourbon afficionados can rely on consistent excellence. With wide (if seasonal) availability and a price around $80 retail, ECBP represents incredible value in the ever-crazier bourbon world. N.B. All spirits tasted neat in a Glencairn glass.

Nose: Assertive - brown sugar, oak, and vanilla. Plenty of barrel on display here with smoke joining into the mix. Black pepper, orange peel, thyme, and rosemary. As you acclimate to the 131 proof, you start getting peaches, apricots, and strawberries. It's worth noting, however, that while this does indeed have an obviously high-proof nose, it's not as intense as you'd expect. Letting things warm and open up a little you also get banana and roasted peanut. Hot cinnamon, nutmeg, and anise, too. This is exactly what I would expect from a high-octane version of a classic bourbon. Nothing wrong with this at all. Palate: Wallop of oak, hot cinnamon, apricot, char, and brown sugar. Anise and nutmeg are still hanging out. Good tannin, with some barrel bitter joining in. Orange rind and orange bell pepper. Medium mouthfeel. Finish begins with a whole lot of ethanol, cinnamon, nutmeg, and strawberry. As the ethanol slowly turns down, cashews and peanuts come forward, along with cocoa and leather. We then end with the burn, barrel bite and bitter, and some rosemary and anise. Finish here is very long. Other notes: I was gifted this bottle (along with some others) and was very excited to get to try it. This is big, bold, turned-up-to-11 fun. Is this the most complex thing on the market? Hell no. But just like with Stagg Jr., Bulleit Barrel Strength, and Knob Creek Single Barrel, this is the kind of high-octane fun I'm into. And for its style, it's pretty good.

The nose is a wonderful burst of charred oak, marshmallow, smoke, vanilla, peppery rye spice all wrapped up in leather. This immediately comes across as full and remarkable, very tempting to take a sip. The palate is dry yet rich and chewy, enveloping the mouth in a strong burst of rye spice, machard oak and vanilla. It is immediately very intense on first visit. Sweeter notes of toasted marshmallow and brown sugar come out ok further visits, but this stays spice dominant. Is really quite wonderful in terms of being a hot whiskey. Because while it is hot, there is a lot of flavor to explore, with a lot of nuances and a lot of depth. This is one of the best expressions of this lineup. Where you have notes that are distinct, simple and flavorful. It doesn't take much to describe what you smell and what you taste, it is all there for the taking. Definition is long and dry with a lingering pepperiness that keeps the mouth tingling with charred oak, as the sweeter notes fade in the background. The finish is simple but just what you want, spicy notes balanced by touch of sweetness. It's incredible in this - as I take my last sips of this bottle - is very much going to be missed after sitting on this bottle for so many years -2017 to 2014-, it's time to finish this. As I sit and watch the snowfall, this whiskey is the perfect partner and I will miss it. But I won't be sad, because it served its purpose. It was meant to be drank.

So originally I bought this after having the B517 that won whiskey of the year. That was an amazing drink. When I first opened this it was too hot for me too deal with and kinda got pushed to the back of the cabinet. Well I found it tonight and I gotta tell you it has found life. The nose is packed with caramel and brown sugar. Kinda a cherry pie thing going on. On the palate all the heat is gone with just an intense mouthfeel. Not in a bad way but just exploding with flavor. Intense oak and vanilla. Finish is long now with more oak and cinnamon. I’m very glad I went back to this as I’m sure I’ll now finish the bottle in short order. Cheers!

At first the nose is sweet nail polish or nail polish remover. The taste is hot cinnamon and alcohol. Once your sinuses and tongue have been sufficiently charred and anesthetized then the second nose and taste reveals oak, maple syrup spices and the usual delicious bourbon flavors. It leaves a singe in the throat and burn on the tongue long after the swallow. I would have scored it higher had it been a lower proof. The flavors are fantastic. The problem is it’s trying to punish me with every swallow. Yes, there can be too much of a good thing.

The nose let's you know this one is packing heat. An earthiness and some vanilla are apparent and it opens up nicely with a few drops. Plenty of oak. Flavor drinks every ounce of the 13and really benefits from water as the ethanol otherwise overpowers quickly. A softer finish with water, there's actually a good amount of fruit and vanilla in-between the oak. Good, but far from my favorite ECBP to date.