Taken: Neat in a Glencairn glass, rested for about 15 minutes.Distillery: Heaven Hill Distillery.
Proof: 90.
Bottled: 6-13-20.
Age: 18 years.
Mash bill: 78% Corn/12% Rye/10% Malted Barley.
MSRP: $150.00 to $160.
Appearance: Dark caramel.
Nose
Crème brulé, dark chocolate, peach and berry reduction sauce, vanilla, orange citrus, dill, green tea, allspice, and a “musty” oak that shows off its age. This pour gets sweeter and shows off more fruit as time goes by. This smells incredible.
Palate
The nose moves right onto the palate with crème brulé and dark chocolate, peaches, red berries, orange citrus, and vanilla. The herbal notes of dill and green tea are more pronounced on the palate. A delicate amount of allspice enters the sip with musty oak. The balance of oak and spice is very impressive for an 18-year single barrel, with a mouthfeel that is on the light side but still has a nice creamy texture.
Finish
Allspice is delicate but lingers for a very long time with chocolate, berries, vanilla bean, and green tea for a medium-long finish. Oak is delicious all the way through with a hint of tobacco and some slight dryness at the very end.
Conclusion
When I first poured this glass, I was half expecting to experience some of the negative things I’ve heard about Elijah Craig 18. That wasn’t the case for this particular single barrel. But single barrels vary, which could be the reason for other mixed reviews. From what I experienced, there is a lot to love about this bottle. The biggest drawback is being a 90-proof bourbon which is the cause for its lack of complexity, light mouthfeel, and somewhat shorter finish than I would have liked. On the plus side, Elijah Craig 18 has some very delicious flavors and was more fruit forward than I expected with a profile that (despite its proof) wasn’t muted. Last but not least, the oak was well-balanced and created excellent caramel and chocolate flavors with a “mustiness” that I’ve only experienced in old whiskey. I’m a fan of that and it’s not something you’re likely to experience unless you’re drinking whiskey close to this age.
If you’re interested in buying this bottle, my advice is to manage your expectations and if possible, try it before you buy it. I would consider buying this bottle, but only if I could get it for $199 tops. No matter how you slice it, it’s still a 90-proof bourbon with the drawbacks I mentioned. Despite that, I appreciate what its 18 years in a barrel brings to the table. I can’t think of a 90-proof bourbon that I liked more.
Rating: 7.7/10.
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.
