BEST Bourbon EVER? Elijah Craig C923 Review!

[@christinecamley]

Fabulous review! This is a lovely Bourbon for me. I am enjoying it a lot! Thanks for your interesting thoughts!

[@WhiskeyTornado]

My pleasure! It did end up winning my bourbon of the year for 2023. Cheers!

[@christinecamley]

@@WhiskeyTornado I can understand how this expression won!

[@deankruse4491]

I have yet to find C923 on any store shelves in my area. In the meantime, I am thoroughly enjoying my bottle of C922. 🥃 👌🏻

[@WhiskeyTornado]

Enjoy and good luck hunting!

[@kamahhl]

I agree, a lot of hype on this one. Drums and drams also pointed out some flaws, I trust you both.

[@WhiskeyTornado]

Cheers! Cam is tha man!

[@TheBourbonJerk]

Just snagged a bottle today and can't wait to crack it. I appreciate your review.

[@WhiskeyTornado]

Heck ya man! Hope you love it! Cheers

[@dennisp362]

so weird i didnt get that drying with mine.

[@WhiskeyTornado]

Many didn’t. Like I said, I’m in the minority. Still a great bottle!

[@SRVandDtrouble]

Would you mind sharing the laser code on your bottle apparently there are some batch inconsistency with C923.

[@DaveH8905]

He’s gotta have the A22 laser code lol

[@WhiskeyTornado]

Not the laser code conspiracy 😜😂 This has been discussed in a few groups and a Heaven Hill rep has said A is the line, the number as discussed here 22 or 23 is the date it was bottled. The rest have to do with time/bottles and internal information. All the bourbon is from the same batch and just dumped a day later. I believe it's all from SS vats and nothing changed. Nothing was aged longer. No difference in taste when done side by side. It’s fun to speculate though haha

[@DaveH8905]

@@WhiskeyTornado what about others that say they DO taste way different? What about the bitterness you have on yours? My bottle isn’t bitter at all, not even remotely. What’s your laser code?

[@DaveH8905]

@@WhiskeyTornado of course a Heaven Hill rep is not going to tell us publicly if they messed up on something on those earlier bottlings. C’mon.

[@WhiskeyTornado]

@@DaveH8905 palates differ. Many people and KZbinrs I know say they can’t tell a difference at all. All that matters is do you like it. My code is A23

[@calebbrown918]

Has yours had time to open up? I thought similar to you but was told to give it time.

[@WhiskeyTornado]

That seems to be the answer to anyone who we disagrees haha! I’ve had it on multiple occasions and in blinds and it’s fantastic but still drying and a bit bitter on the back end. It’s still a fantastic bottle but the bitterness from oak tannins is definitely there.

[@BuckMcAntlerson]

Just picked this up today!

[@WhiskeyTornado]

Nice! Enjoy man!

[@gtmustang09]

Great review! My favorite ECBP C919. Waiting for C923 to hit NY.

[@WhiskeyTornado]

Thanks man! You’ll love C923!

[@chichung1929]

First timer here. Great video and really appreciate your honesty! Subscribed. We need more reviewers like you. Cheers

[@WhiskeyTornado]

Awe thanks so much! Appreciate the kind words. Cheers and welcome to the channel!

[@TheReal_DeanD]

Could this be one with the laser code I’d A22 that some found was not so could vs the one with the A23 code? After spending more time with this are the thoughts still the same on it?

[@kyleedwards4920]

It is fantastic. In a blind taste, not sure I would be able to pick the George T Stagg or this C923. I got vanilla on the front, no bitter or dryness. fruit notes (fig) and caramel nose. Cinnamon and slow kentucky hug. The oak is perfect.

[@WhiskeyTornado]

It's a great pour for sure! Cheers!

[@thomasmichael6509]

SLB did a double blind where Kurt picked this over 2022 GTS

[@hawkflames93]

That B Roll was stunning, so crisp. What lens did you use?

[@WhiskeyTornado]

Thanks man! I really appreciate that! I use a Sony ZVE10 camera with a Sigma 14mm 1.4 lens

[@SRVandDtrouble]

So there is some drama over the C923 Batch with a lot of people finding completely different flavor profiles and seeing that difference in the laser codes serial numbers starting with A22 being not as good as A23 serial numbers. I would love to know what serial number you have and if you could compare the lots?

[@frankthetunaman1413]

Great, completely objective review. Haven't found it yet but I will buy for sure. Thanks Lance.

[@WhiskeyCorner]

Great review Lance! I appreciate your honesty. I’m eagerly waiting for that C923 to show up in Florida. Cheers Brother 🥃

[@WhiskeyTornado]

Thanks brotha and cheers to you! We still have to get you on the channel soon!

[@mybourbonjourney]

Great review and as always I appreciate how you broke it down. For me, it was more of a leather note I got vs it being bitter or tannic but I can see where you're coming from. That cherry or dark fruit note really started to come through the more I sipped it. For me, it was the best batch I've had. But, to each there own, right. Great review Lance! 🥃

[@WhiskeyTornado]

I’m really interested to see how it does in our blind Friday against the 2020 batches. I can see why people love it. It’s a great batch!

[@timbuma3693]

Big fan of the channel and really enjoy your blinds and reviews because our palates seem to be pretty similar. I’ve been blessed this year and have gotten some really good bourbons at msrp (Makers Cellar Aged, Michters 10, Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend, EC 18 and KC 18). Let me know if you’d like any samples, cheers!

[@connieharris6553]

Interested to know if you had anything to eat or drink not long before the tasting. I had a sample at Kentucky Bourbon Festival and loved it but sometimes whiskey tastes different on different days

[@Over_Taxed_USA]

A123 was the ECBP I've enjoyed the most this year.. Good review 👍

[@WhiskeyTornado]

Cheers!

[@brownprince6264]

I like this rating system much more.. and awesome you separate it into level of experience 👏🏽👏🏽

[@WhiskeyTornado]

Thanks for the feedback! Cheers!

[@danielh750]

Lance, dude, your video quality has gotten incredible! Fantastic review as well. You nailed it! Bottle is fantastic but it's a spicy boy! Still prefer it neat!

[@WhiskeyTornado]

Thanks so much brother! That means a lot!

[@henrycervantezzz5566]

No bitterness for me. Slight dryness though. Fantastic pour indeed.

[@TheBourbonNote]

FINALLY! Someone who had the same experience as we did! We reviewed this last week and we basically had the exact same experience. We said it's great and a possible whiskey of the year contender, but we also said it was dry, bitter, and tannic on the finish and apparently some people think were nuts! We've been told our opinion is flat out wrong and unfair😂 Apparently we have the same strange bottle. Great review, cheers!

[@WhiskeyTornado]

We’re definitely in the minority haha! Cheers!

[@319_Fishing]

I get no bitterness and drying of the pallet! I get sweetness and oak and a little fruity on the pallet. With a long finish with a little pepper/leather note on the back end

[@WhiskeyTornado]

Many didn’t. Like I said, I’m in the minority. Still a great bottle and as it opens up I am getting cherry now. Cheers!

[@SRVandDtrouble]

Do you mind sharing your laser code? Apparently there are some batch inconsistencies with laser codes starting with A23 are different from A22 serial range. Your tasting notes sounds like the A23 range.

[@Tech_Geek247]

Great review! I can somewhat see where you're coming from with the negatives but for my palate I get more leather vs bitter tannic notes. I really enjoy high-aged bourbon so maybe I just don't notice it as much. I buy every bottle of ECBP when released but this one instantly stood out as very special to me like the B520 and C920 releases (or even some of the old pirate bottles). I bought multiple backups of this one which I haven't done since those 2020 bottles. Count me in the "Whiskey of the Year" camp with this one.

[@WhiskeyTornado]

Totally get it! It will be fun to see where it ranks against 2020 batches on Friday nights livestream. Either way it’s a great batch! Cheers!

[@Tech_Geek247]

​@@WhiskeyTornado I'll try to catch your livestream to see how you compare them. I am worried we may start seeing even less years with the ECBP releases soon and this was their last high-aged release in a while or maybe C batches become the only higher-aged release each year until they build up their stock of older whiskey. Cheers! 🥃

[@mttech1995]

Solid review as always!! I saw the A and B batches for this year early this week out in CA. Looking forward to maybe finding the C batch.

[@WhiskeyTornado]

Excited to taste them blind with you Friday night! Cheers bro!

[@rcmul1233]

Haven’t tried this one yet, but my favorite batch of all time is C919, followed by C920! One really hyped bourbon that I got a bitter finish on and was not as a big of a fan of was RR13 Batch 1. And I’m at pretty big WT fan.

[@WhiskeyTornado]

You’ll have to let me know what you think. I’m definitely in the minority saying this is bitter and drying. Most people aren’t getting that

[@Best_Overserved_--_No_Ice]

rcmul, A lot of people have C919 as one of their favorites! A guy - who was sipping A117 at the time - said in the KZbin comments that the "closest comparison" to A117 is C919. And he added that the " *C923 falls well short of them both* ." And the reviewer who was reviewing C923 live at the time responded that he agreed with that guy's assessment "100%!". What did you think of the B519?

[@jraderstorf]

I didn't get they drying but I did get some bitterness in the back of my palate. Still an amazing whiskey! I'd like to see a blind of this against JD 12 year. These 2 will be up as contenders for bourbon of the year.

[@mikehaliday8302]

I've been a lot of places with whiskey, but ECBP is always like coming home...always my main pour. But this one honestly (on the first pour) I find a bit thin and a bit hot

[@TheWhiskeyAdvisor]

Elijah Craig Barrel Proofs are an almost must get whenever you see them. Larceny BP's have been killin it lately

[@WhiskeyTornado]

💯

[@bmoorebourbon352]

Still haven’t seen it in Northern Illinois yet, but looking forward to trying it. More importantly, my son is in the Marching Illini … how is Memorial stadium?

[@WhiskeyTornado]

Love the Marching Illini! Many don’t know but I actually went to college on a music scholarship for playing saxophone. Memorial stadium is okay. Fire was caused by mower and ATV in lower section of the horse shoe. My daughter lives in Hopkins and called us last night. It was a ton of smoke but they’re saying it will be good to go for Fridays game. Cheers!

[@WBLumpkin87]

Thankfully I don’t get the bitter or tannic notes on my bottle either. I do think there can be some big differences on these even within batches though. I had an A122 last year that was so sweet and decadent with a delicious salty note that I had to have a backup but when I found a backup at another store it was so full of the sharpie marker note that the Bourbon Junkies mentioned that I could only use it as a mixer.

[@WhiskeyTornado]

Agree 100%

[@peterb.3278]

Great Review- have not found the C-923 yet - I really liked the C-920 (A-120 my fav also). But if this competes with any of the 2020 batches this is an excellent bourbon - can’t wait for ECBP drink through - Cheers 🥃!

[@WhiskeyTornado]

Can’t wait to see what comes out on top for us! Cheers bro!

[@Best_Overserved_--_No_Ice]

peter, I haven't tried the C923 but, from what I gather from looking around a bit, C923 is in with the 2020 batches. But it's not in with some of the 2019s and prior years.

[@philc1884]

Nice review. Would be too easy to follow the band wagon. It's pretty common when a higher proof is released there's automatic praise. The level of exp is a nice addition too. I can't think other channels doing the same. Gold star for innovation 😁 Cheers!

[@WhiskeyTornado]

Thanks man! Appreciate the kind word. Cheers!

[@PratertheTater]

I picked up some bitterness as well in the initial crack. It did get better after some oxidation. I think the C922 is a little better. Based on a blind.

[@WhiskeyTornado]

Nice! Cheers!

[@systemtrend3194]

Currently A120 is my favorite batch followed by C919, so I’m excited to try this batch.

[@WhiskeyTornado]

A120 is so dang good

[@efex604]

This review will definatly be on a island far far away lol. I didnt get any bitterness at all thats very interesting.

[@WhiskeyTornado]

That’s fair 😂 I enjoy being different 😜

[@MildTurkey77]

I'm tracking with you. Your negatives hit me right off! It's good... not the best.

[@WhiskeyTornado]

Cheers and glad I’m not alone haha

[@TheOnion12]

Who was saying this was bourbon of the year?

[@carlmschwarber259]

You are not on an Island by yourself, I can't remember who but another Utuber had a similar review, and for me it doesn't sound like something I'd like. Cheers 🍻

[@WhiskeyTornado]

Good to know. For some it may be a try at a bar before you by. Unfortunately these are not going to sit on shelves long

[@jebsingleton]

The 139.4 "batch 11" is the best. It's just a different animal.

[@WhiskeyTornado]

I don’t like to make absolute statements on subjective matters. I get what you’re saying though, batch 11 is your favorite.

[@0529mpb]

I agree about the difference. The Pirate Bottles were often predominantly 15 or 16 year old whiskey. Production was lower so they were able to choose the best barrels. That was some of the best whiskey ever sold. C923 is the best in the last 5 years. It is not in the same league as the best of the pirate bottles.