Strawberry | Candy corn | Fresh mint | Nutmeg | Rye grain | Sweet oak

Cherry | Vanilla | Warm caramel | Burnt orange peel | Creamy | Full-bodied

Cinnamon | Peppery rye spice | Aged oak | Orange cream | Nutmeg | Lingering light dry oak

In late 2025, Heaven Hill launched Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Rye without the fanfare they typically roll out for a big new release. Perhaps it was a bit of a soft launch, as Batch A925 didn’t quite hit the mark. While the release was solid in its own right, the rye field has gotten so competitive that the overall quality (and age) of the increasing number of releases has risen dramatically over the past few years.

Released at an impressive 12 years, 3 months age statement, Batch A925 featured a lower 108 proof, and that resulted in the whiskey’s sip lacking necessary presence. Though Batch A126 is 4 months younger than Batch A125, it clocks in at 120.4 proof, falling in a range that is more-or-less expected for a barrel proof release. But what is more important is how it uses its age and proof, combined with its flavor profile and viscosity, to wondrous effect.

Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Rye Batch A126’s aroma starts in a welcoming place, a trait that carries through the sip. Peasant scents of strawberry, candy corn, fresh mint, and nutmeg form the aroma’s core, with rye grain and sweet finishing things off nicely. Though as soon as the whiskey hits your mouth, you’ll instantly take notice of its viscosity. Its creamy, full-bodied, and warming. For fans of whiskeys with a great mouthfeel, take note: Batch A126 is impressive.

Beyond the rye’s mouthfeel is a flavor profile that offers cherry, vanilla, warm caramel, and burnt orange peel on the palate. It caps off with cinnamon, peppery rye spice, aged oak, orange cream, and nutmeg on the finish. Though not unusual flavors, they come together exactly as you want them to.

For the lofty expectation and excitement Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Rye Batch A125 had, it didn’t quite meet them. Batch A126 is the release everyone was hoping for with the first release with flavors that are nicely integrated, the proof offers just enough intensity without going overboard, and its mouthfeel is top notch. Where Heaven Hill’s barrel proof portfolio was somewhat forgettable in 2025 without one release truly standing out, we’ll likely still be talking about Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Rye Batch A125 at year’s end.