Elijah Craig Barrel Proof
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof. I wasn't too familiar with the brand before seeing it took the #1 spot in Whisky Advocate's Top 20 Whiskies of 2017. Aside from that, I had only read the Columbus-esque backstory they touted, designating Elijah Craig as the "Father of Bourbon." But hey, if Columbus can get a holiday, who am I to say Elijah Craig can't be bourbon's distinguished creator -- even if some (read: everyone else) seem to see this as an alternative fact.
Anyways, the high praise from Whisky Advocate that sparked my curiosity was warranted. The smell of 124.4 proof bourbon can smack your nose from a mile away, but pushing past the alcohol burn you'll pick up notes of vanilla, spices and oak. The first sip of this will wake your ass up, put some hair on your chest (ladies included) and whatever other phrase you want to use to express that you just drank some potent shit. The vanilla translates to the palate along with tastes of caramel and toasted peanuts. The warm finish is almost never ending, giving you time to appreciate the bold flavors and pleasant warmth that lingers until the next taste.
I was impressed. Being selected as the top whiskey of the year comes with some lofty expectations, but this barrel proof bourbon delivers. What truly stands out is Elijah Craig's ability to produce such a high proof bourbon without the alcohol masking the amazing flavors. It's fairly easy to see why the folks at Whisky Advocate made it #1 and I'm pretty sure I'm going to need a replacement bottle of this stuff very soon.
