Heaven Hill Distillery Releases Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel Bourbon
A few months ago, the Elijah Craig lineup added the first Elijah Craig Rye. Now, they’ve expanded by adding a new version of small batch that is additionally aged in fresh toasted barrels. Importantly, the extra aging allows for an extra sweet oak layer of complexity. Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel will hit shelves this September.
SEE ALSO: There are now 2 barrels of bourbon for every person in the state of Kentucky.
The Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel Process:
“The process begins with fully matured Small Batch, which is dumped and then re-entered at barrel proof into a second, custom toasted new oak barrel designed in partnership with Independent Stave Company. Made with 18-month air dried oak, the finishing barrel is first toasted and then flash-charred using a moderate toast temperature and toast time. An extensive research and development process resulted in a final barrel toast profile bringing forward dark sugar flavors within the wood to create a balance of smokiness and sweetness after months of finishing. The resulting taste is big, rich and complex with spice and pepper notes that fade into milk chocolate with a hint of smoke as the finish lingers with chocolate and baking spices.”
Heaven Hill Press Release
Toasted Barrels vs. Charred Barrels
Aging bourbon in charred barrels results in a smoother, mellower flavor. Unlike their charred brethren, toasted barrels are heated much more gently, resulting in a dark brown toast rather than a blackened char. Toasted barrels add a bit more vanilla marshmallow like flavor to the liquor, as well as spicy accents. Heaven hill partners with Independent Stave Company to create a custom toast profile and char level designed to compliment the fully matured Elijah Craig bourbon.
Tasting Profile
PROOF
94 proof
TASTE
Big, rich, and complex.
Delightful spice and pepper notes
fade to milk chocolate with
just a hint of smoke
NOSE
Lots of toasted oak
with rich caramel
COLOR
Roasted pecans
