Veteran Bourbon Review: Elijah Craig Small Batch

Official Product Website

History – ”The Father of Bourbon”- Reverend Elijah Craig was a Baptist preacher, an educator, and an entrepreneur who built the first paper and wool mills in Georgetown, Kentucky. But for all his industries, it was his gift as a distiller and an innovator that brought him his greatest acclaim. While we draw inspiration from parts of Elijah Craig’s story, his legacy will forever be stained by his connection to slavery. Like other Kentucky landowners of his generation, Elijah Craig owned slaves. Uncovering the roles of these laborers, how they contributed to the birth of the Bourbon industry and what happened to them and their families is a critical mission of our brand today. Elijah Craig is actively engaged in academic research and other initiatives to not just uncover the past, but to make America today a more just and equitable country.
In 1789, Elijah Craig became the first distiller to age his whiskey in new charred oak barrels. Some claim that an accidental fire charred his barrels and changed the whiskey inside. Others say he stored his whiskey in former sugar barrels and was impressed with how charing improved the flavor. However it happened, Elijah Craig knew he had discovered something great. He continued to refine the barrel charring process, imparting smooth, rich flavor to the spirit that would become known as Bourbon. 250 years later, he is still known as the Father of Bourbon—and we craft our Bourbon today using the same time-honored methods.- elijahcraig.com

Value – For a bourbon priced under $30, this is a great purchase.

Appearance – This classic Elijah bottle is used for most of their products. This is not bad because it is a good-looking bottle design with one of the best corks in the game. This small batch is medium-copper in color.

Nose – Vanilla, caramel, and maple wood make up the nose. This is a sweet aroma that is just a tad too light. I think it could be more if it were a little stronger. With that being said, it is still a great nose.

Palate – Oak and vanilla dominate the palate without question. They are balanced out pretty well, leaving a sweet oak taste. The more I sip on this, I can pull out a hint of caramel at the end as well.

Finish – Oak is the main lingering component at the end of the finish for about 5 seconds and then fades away, leaving a warm tingle on the tongue. Vanilla has hints of flavor in the beginning, but that is all. Oak really runs the show on this one.

Summary – In summary, this is one of the best bourbons for an old fashioned and for good reason as it is a coveted small batch with many accolades throughout the years.

“You can find this bottle pretty much anywhere. This is great because this is a really good pour for under $30. I just wish they would bring back the age statement.“

–Eric Watkins

Uniqueness- 1-10 – 6

Appearance- 1-10 – 7

Nose- 1-20 – 14

Palate- 1-20 – 12

Finish- 1-20 – 11

Value- 1-20 – 15