Elijah Craig 12 Year Old Barrel Proof

Granted I can find a bottle how would you compare this to Bookers? It's been awhile since I've had the regular 12, but I remember it being a little to bitter for my liking. However, my tastes have changed a lot since then.

@Bigtuna, the Elijah Craig 12 YO Barrel Proof which I have had has been far superior, not just in potency, but in everything about the flavours, compared to all of the standard Elijah Craig 12 YO which I have tasted. I assume this is because of superior barrel selection for the launch of a new premium product line. I am not a big fan of standard EC12, but I am of this new Barrel Proof 12.

Comparing to Booker's, the styles are somewhat different, both very nice. I would describe the EC12BP as being more lush and rich than I would describe Booker's. Booker's has great strong flavours, which are very vivid and, in my experience, pointed. EC12BP is more like lying on a very lush carpet. Depending on mood, I could prefer either one of them to the other.

Thanks for the quick comparison. If the EC barrel proof is there I will have to pick it up. I had it in my mine the next bottle of bourbon I was going purchase was going to be Bookers until I read your and Nock's reviews.

Nothing wrong with Booker's either.

Fantastic review! Very glad to get your notes on the bottle (order is now restored in my mental state having extremely similar takes on this one bottle!). Just know that I would "love" to get a sample of the second batch whenever you get around to cracking yours ;) - provided it never arrives here in Virginia (which I entirely expect).

I certainly hope this is an ongoing addition to the ranks of Heaven Hill. But my guess is the price won't survive. Buy it while you can!

A bourbon i really want to get my hands on! It seems as though Elijah Craig inhibits partially a sort of rum-character as well as a wonderfully complex bourbon nature. Hard version to find these days though.. Thanks for the review Victor

At least three separate batches of Elijah Craig 12 YO Barrel Proof have now been released. I was able to buy some today at 66.6% ABV just in time for Halloween. It is still quite scarce to find, though.

Great find @Victor! I am jealous. It seems like only the first batch made it into Virginia. But I will ask about it . . .

If it remains at $40 you said?...... I think I paid ~$65 US to a friend who brought it over from Seattle a year and a half or so ago... How much is it now?

@Nozinan, it has been quite two or three years since Elijah Craig (12) Barrel Proof has commonly sold for $ 40 plus tax in the US. If you can find it at all any more $ 65 is a very good price. The last bottle I found- in Albuquerque in late September 2016- was $ 69.95 plus tax I believe.