My Favorite Whiskey- Elijah Craig Barrel Proof C921
By Richard S. Green
What is my favorite Whiskey? This month it is definitely the “Father or Bourbon’s” extraordinaire. What a winner this one is, a fan favorite, a front-runner, odds-on favorite, favorite child, beloved one, fair-haired mistress, pampered darling, and apple of my eye. Full flavor, nice kick, great finish, …for the win Elijah Craig Barrel Proof (ECBP) C921. No apologies for the rant.
For the most part, in summer time, I would thought I would lay off of the full proof/barrel proof liquors in favor of a lighter summertime refreshing cocktail. With the rain and lack of sunshine this early summer, I was able to renew my love of a dark brown beverage, of-course neatly. I just saw an email from Four Roses Distillery regarding the Roses Honey Smash Recipe that has me second guessing my choice, but I’m sticking to it with ECBP.
I realized as I was writing the last post that I wrote three in a row about wheated bourbons. Which obviously must be my favorite right? I don’t want to leave the impression that I don’t like the rye whiskey and rye heavy bourbons. A little rye is good for the soul. I’m going to pronounce, and you heard it here first, a drink of rye a day keeps the doctor away. Okay I know I stole that last bit, so if you’re an Apple Fan Boy that likes proverbs I humbly apologize.
I also just realized I’m going to have to talk about my favorite rye whiskey soon, hence my previous post’s comments about changing the name of this column to My Favorite Whiskey. Standby, well, I just went ahead and made that change. Do you remember watching cartoons as a kid on Saturday morning, and the announcement came on stating this is a Test of the Emergency Broadcast System and they said Please Standby, how many of you thought you had to stand close to the console TV. Be honest. I was the younger, gullible brother. Guilty, lol.
Baptist Preacher Elijah Craig, touted in certain circles as the “Father of Bourbon,” who, in 1789, is said to be the first distiller to age whiskey in new charred oak barrels. This process gives bourbon its distinct color and unique taste. While Elijah Craig’s legacy has lasted for over 250 years, there are many who believe the lore of Craig’s ingenuity has been over stated and marketing hype, and that he was simply distilling his whiskey in the same manners as other distillers of the time.
Okay ECBP, what is it and why is it great? Well you gotta try it to know. Interestingly I read a couple of reviews that never mentioned any smell or taste of fruit. Maybe your bottle differs? I think the fruitiness of the C921 batch is what makes the difference for this batch over other ECBP variants. I have, in my own bar, an ECBP Private Barrel (9 year old) release that is a 133.5 proof and is straight fire that is hot cinnamon on the nose and palate, followed be a caramel brown sugar finish to die for, but no fruit whatsoever.
The C921’s nose is peppery and fiery, not as pronounced as the aforementioned Private Barrel, but the finest part of this release is the ton of fruit in the mix to that make this 120.2 proofer drink much softer and more inviting. It brings bright cherries, spiced yet sweet strawberry, and orange peel then some chocolate which tempers the palate further. See below for the details.
While Elijah Craig is more commonly known for its 94-proof bourbon, several times a year the brand branches out with high alcohol barrel proof batches. Aged at 12 years and pulled straight from the barrel. Barrel proof bourbon has not been diluted with water. This gives the consumer more freedom to control the levels at which they consume their spirit, as you can choose to add ice or water depending on your taste. I like to keep it neat, but you do what you want with it. The numbering system accounts for three batches during a year A, B and C. A1 is January, B5 is May and C9 is September, followed by the year 2021 (hence C921 is the Heaven Hill release for September of 2021).
Classification: Straight Bourbon
Company: Elijah Craig Distillery Co. (Heaven Hill)
Distillery: Elijah Craig Distillery Co. (Heaven Hill)
Release Date: September 2021
The Proof: 120.2
Age: 12 Years
Mashbill: 78% Corn, 12% Malted Barley, 10% Rye
Color: Light Mahogany
MSRP: $69 (2021)
THE NOSE
Uncut, straight from the barrel without chill filtering, the ECBP C921’s nose is peppery and fiery with some great bright fruitiness – for which some get an apple smell. Also on board is a little Barrel char and aged (12 year old) oak funk, chewing tobacco, nutmeg and other baking spice. Very nice and has the complexity you would expect for this bourbon, which is a bargain at this price.
THE PALATE
It truly brings a bright fruitiness that bursts through its more savory and spice elements (which come through thanks to the Rye in its mashbill). C921 bring a classic barrel char and clove notes that both linger in the background. You also get the seasoned aged oak, Rye spice, some Caramel, and butterscotch. As a barrel proof whiskey the C921 delivers a nice intensity that highlights oak notes but drinks lower than its proof with a lingering fruitiness to leave you in your memory.
THE FINISH
The finish holds on to the spice adding more hints of plum (as a stone fruit). Note: If you see stone fruit in a review that just means it is a fruit with a pit, so if someone says or writes stone fruit they are being less specific than they could be.
It contains bursts of spices, the right amount of funky seasoned oak and other wood. The Spice lingers against the sweet caramel note with a long tapering dryness.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The barrels receive a Level 3 char, developing an earthier, spicy flavor that really stands out along with the rich caramelization and deep color. For the third and final batch of 2021, C921 is another relatively-low proof Elijah Craig Barrel Proof release. Some complain that it doesn’t melt your face. The C921 comes in slightly lower than Batch B521 at 120.2 proof.
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof C921 is notably better and sweeter than B521 and A121, but I’m told that it isn’t as great as the brand’s best batches, notably the B520 and B519 releases. For those who enjoy a fruit-focused bourbon, Batch C921 will be your jam. See what I did there?
