Charred oak | Caramel covered apple | Stewed fruit | Cinnamon | Sweet

Brown sugar | Graham cracker | Caramel chews | Cinnamon | Warming baking spices | Rich & robust flavor intensity | Medium body

Baking spices | Cinnamon | Brown sugar | Tobacco | Leather | Long

Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Batch A124 is the first of three batches planned for 2024, with “A” signifying the first batch of the year, “1” standing for its January release month, and “24” identifying the year of the release. While most batches released so far have had a standardized 12 year age statement (though it’s possible barrels within the blends were older), last year Heaven Hill replaced the standardized 12 year age statement with a fluctuating age statement by batch that could be more or less than 12 years. For their third batch of 2023, Heaven Hill released their oldest batch to date, a 13 year, 7 month bourbon that was so good we awarded it our #1 Whiskey of 2023.

It’s not surprising to see Heaven Hill expanding the age range for Elijah Craig Barrel Proof. This also allows for a greater degree of variation in flavor profile from batch to batch, which, when done correctly, is something to celebrate. If not done correctly, as some fans are rightfully concerned with, it simply allows for younger, lesser bourbon to make its way into a given batch. Thankfully, Heaven Hill has proven their ability to make Elijah Craig Barrel Proof a consistently good bourbon so far, but now that the age prerequisite has been removed, all bets are off.

Batch A124 goes all in on a flavor profile that’s nearly impossible to dislike. It’s straightforward with caramel, brown sugar, and cinnamon throughout. But it allows some depth with charred oak and stewed fruit on the nose, graham cracker and baking spices on the palate, and hints of leather and tobacco in the finish. Its 119 proof is low for the brand, but still high in absolute terms. Ultimately, Batch A124 has a quintessential barrel proof Kentucky bourbon flavor profile that doesn’t reach the same degree of depth as its immediate predecessor, but it’s a flavor profile that’s going to please anyone who appreciates straightforward, high proof Kentucky bourbon.