Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Batch C924 Review: 129 Proof Bourbon Excellence

BOTTLE DETAILS

• DISTILLER: Heaven Hill Distillery
• MASH BILL: 78% Corn | 10% Rye | 12% Malted Barley
• AGE: 11 years, 0 months
• YEAR: 2024
• PROOF: 129
• MSRP: $74.99
• BUY ONLINE: Heaven Hill Product Locator

DREW’S NOTES

SHARE WITH: Anyone you know who enjoys a classic, barrel proof and even those who may shy away from higher octane bourbon. This one is an easy gateway pour to the wide world of cask-strength American whiskey.

WORTH THE PRICE: Yes. The first releases over a decade ago were priced at about half of the current MSRP, but even still, $75 is an entirely reasonable ask in the market today, especially for a bourbon of this quality.

BOTTLE, BAR OR BUST: Bottle. There have been many Elijah Craig Barrel Proof releases so far (36, if my math is right), and there will likely be many more to come. In recent years, most have been worth sampling and many have merited picking up. I tasted across all three 2024 releases for this review and found this one to be my favorite, so I can confidently recommend adding it to your collection.

OVERALL: It has been a whole year since we last reviewed an Elijah Craig Barrel Proof release at Bourbon & Banter. Steve Coomes loved C923, famously the oldest ECBP release yet at 13 years and 7 months. We didn’t see anything nearing that age this year, but the trio of 10+ year-old releases that dropped in 2024 were all respectable and enjoyable expressions. C924 was just a little better than the rest.

On the nose, you’d never know this was cask strength. It’s downright gentle compared to some other releases, allowing lots of complexity to shine in the aroma. Notes of charred oak and Tootsie Roll give way to dark toffee and flamed orange peel. As it opens, saddle leather and maple candies offer yet another layer of depth to enjoy.

On the palate, the barrel strength is more noticeable, hitting with early notes of sticky vanilla bean, black pepper, and dark raisins that evolve on the midpalate to pralines and cherry cordial. It’s rich and mouth coating without being too weighty, offering a nice, syrupy balance of jammy fruit and tannic barrel char that keeps things piquant and engaging. The finish ties it all together expertly with torched sugar, chocolate mint, and lingering notes of marmalade and chai tea. It’s perhaps not the stunner we were given at the end of 2023, but there’s certainly nothing to complain about here.

BRAND NOTES

Tasting Notes

• Color: Deep amber
• Aroma: Caramel with toasted oak, fruit notes of apple and orange
• Taste: Rich vanilla, caramel and butterscotch along with spices of black pepper and cinnamon at the back of the palate
• Finish: Nicely layered showcasing all flavors, fades slowly then lingers as it cools

Disclaimer: Bourbon & Banter received a sample of this product from the brand for review. We appreciate their willingness to allow us to review their products with no strings attached. Thank you.