Day 15 of DB's Bourbon Trail 2023 Advent Calendar - Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel

Cheers and welcome to our 4th Annual Advent Calendar! Throughout the next month, we will be going on a high-end bourbon journey together and reviewing 25 bourbons from award winning distilleries across America. Starting on December 1st and ending on December 25th - we will get to experience everything from small batches to single barrels that are jam packed with flavor. Please join us in toasting to another incredible year and getting to virtually share some of our favorite bottles from this past year with you!

**This review has been completed by using a Glencairn glass and neat if you want to compare the same tasting notes as DB’s Bourbon Trail. BUT - the best thing about it being YOUR bourbon is that you get to enjoy it that way YOU want to and prefer! As long as it brings us together and you are enjoying it - pour it over ice, add water, or add it to a cocktail! It’s all about what makes you happy and what you enjoy - don’t let others influence you differently!**

Enough of me rambling, let’s dive into what brought us here!

Day 15 of DB’s Bourbon Trail 2023 Advent Calendar

Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel

Proof:

• 94 Proof (47%)

Distillery:

• Heaven Hill Distillery (Bardstown, KY)

Message on the bottle:

 "Our small batch bourbon Finished in Toasted New Oak Barrels - Father of Bourbon"

Price Point:

**At DB’s Bourbon Trail we utilize an app called BoozApp (not sponsored - we wish!) to ensure we are getting at least a fair price on our bourbon before purchasing. Nothing is worse than getting taken advantage of by a flipper playing the supply/demand game**

• Average MSRP:

  • $48.48

• Fair Price:

  • $77.32

• Shelf Price:

  • $82.99

• DB’s Bourbon Trail Instant Buy Price:

  • <$55.00

Review:

On Day 2 - I already went into the story of Elijah Craig and why he was named "Father of Bourbon". Check it out here if you may have missed it!

As we dive into the Toasted Barrel, I wanted to know what makes it different and off to their website we go!

Charred to start. Toasted to finish. This unique expression innovates on our award-winning Small Batch Bourbon by finishing it in a second, custom toasted barrel: adding an extra layer of sweet oak complexity.

If you already loved Day 2 - you are in for a treat today! Elijah Craig takes the same bourbon that everyone knows and loves and finishes it in a toasted barrel. This adds a whole new taste profile to the pour. With that being said, I fell in love with this bottle ever since it was released a few years back. I am hoping that it will start to become easier to find - because after we dive into this - I'm sure more of you will love it too!

Nose:

• I think this may be the best smelling and most inviting bourbon on the nose. Sweet caramel, vanilla and a hint of what seems to be a toasted marshmallow

Palate:

• Picking up on a s’mores and spice vibe. The caramel and sweetness from the nose is still lingering and is so enjoyable throughout the palate.

Finish:

• The heat and spice pairs perfectly with the caramel/sweetness into the finish to keep you coming back for more

Final Thoughts:

This isn’t your normal high proof-punch pour that many top bourbons bring to the table. If I'm being honest, I don’t think I know enough words to fully express how much I enjoy this bourbon. The toasted barrel expression just brings a whole different aspect to the Elijah Craig pour that I love. I may go out on a limb and say this is top 5 bourbon of mine. It most definitely is a top 3 bourbon of mine in its price range. Every sip leaves you wanting more and I will continue to buy this every time I see it on the shelf.

Cheers y’all!

Interesting in what else we might have cooking? Learn more here!

Let's Connect!

• Have you ever had this pour?

• Thoughts on the review?

• Leave a comment below and share your experience - we would love to hear from you!