Elijah Craig Small Batch – Corona Cigar / TBWS Barrel Select
Quick Stats:
- Distiller: Elijah Craig Distillery Co.
- Spirit: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
- Aged: Unstated
- Proof: 94
- Purchase Price: $34.95
- Elijah Craig Website
- Davidoff Tampa Website
About The Distillery & Bottle: - “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 charring 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.”
- “The award-winning Bourbon that started it all. Our signature Small Batch owes its distinctive warm spice & subtle smoke flavor to Level 3 charred oak barrels. Handcrafted by our Master Distillers, it’s a favorite of Bourbon connoisseurs and casual whiskey fans alike.”
About Davidoff Tampa: “Designed to be Cigar City’s destination of choice for those seeking the ultimate premium cigar experience. Visit us to enjoy only the best cigars and libations, featuring over 5,000 sq. ft. of humidified space, multiple lounges both indoor and out, and elegant full service bar with over 100 different spirits.”
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Nose
(4.5)
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Palate
(3.5)
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Finish
(4)
-
Value
(5)
Notes & Review
Nose: Dried candied orange zest, caramel cream, vanilla spice, clove, peach, leather
Palate: Tobacco, dried oak, baking spice, leather, charred vanilla
Finish: Sweet corn, charred oak, toasted ceder
Review: Elijah Craig, the baptist preacher of the late 1700s would be absolutely flabbergasted to see the prominence that his brand would have in the market today. Elijah Craig is one of those brands that, whether you’ve tasted it or not, you’ve most likely heard of it if you’re even somewhat following the whiskey scene.
With the addition of the barrel proof and toasted barrel selection recently and their older expressions being highly sought, their line is expanding past the traditional budget bourbon they’ve staked their claim of market share upon. However, as we all know, some of these claims are well deserved through consistency and good value, and Elijah Craig falls into this category for sure.
The Small Batch that we tried was a single barrel pick featuring both Corona Cigar (Davidoff of Geneva) and my very own Tampa Bay Whiskey Society family, and boy did they pick a good one for those of us who love classic savory profiles.
This pour, while having sweetness in the nose, dumps most of those notes in the palate to pick up uncomplicated savory classic flavors, like tobacco and leather. This is excellent for those who would want to pair this with a cigar or a bolder cut of meat, as the flavors would stand up to a stronger pairing since there isn’t much sweetness in the palate to diminish.
It’s also nice to see an expression that doesn’t just nosedive into a sweet profile because it’s “a bourbon” and eventuates some of the more classic savory flavors found in bourbon but often overshadowed by the sweeter notes.
The finish is classic with notes of charred oak and sweet corn, finished by a nice peak of toasted cedar to add a little extra depth.
Overall, this pour would be great for those who would want to pour a nice dram while grilling out or having a cigar. Plus, the label is amazing and features one of my personal favorite holiday movies. This would be an excellent holiday gift for those in your life that like good bourbon, and the fact that it’s on theme for Christmas is an added bonus!
See if you can get a bottle before they’re all out!
