Elijah Craig - Toasted Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey 750ml
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Secondary maturation in custom toasted American oak barrels distinguishes Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel from the standard Small Batch bottling. Once fully matured in Level 3 charred oak casks, Heaven Hill transfers the 94-proof (47% ABV) spirit into custom barrels made from oak that has been heavily toasted but left uncharred on the inside. Unlike bourbons finished in port or sherry casks that rely on fortified wine remnants, this process extracts sweet wood sugars, vanillin, and toasted lactones directly from the newly caramelized fibers of the raw timber.
Rich aromas of dark caramel, cedar, and dried orange peel dominate the nose, complemented by faint undertones of black pekoe tea and jasmine. The entry is broad and weighty on the palate, unfolding layers of peach preserves, brown sugar, and toasted pecan supported by a firm core of baking spices and chipotle pepper. Mid-palate viscosity transitions smoothly into milk chocolate and fine-grained oak tannins before snapping dry on the finish. For an elevated Manhattan, combine 2 oz Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel, 1 oz sweet vermouth, and 2 dashes of Angostura bitters stirred over ice and strained into a chilled coupe with a brandied cherry. In-house testing at USQ confirmed that the extra layer of toasted oak adds notable mid-palate density without overpowering the underlying 78% corn mashbill structure.
Country
United StatesRegion
KentuckySub Region
BardstownABV
47%Brand
Heaven Hill DistilleryCask Finish
Custom Toasted Uncharred New Oak BarrelProduction
78% Corn, 10% Rye, 12% Malted Barley - Matured in Level 3 charred barrels, finished in custom toasted uncharred new oak barrels
Distillation Process
Column Still with Doubler
