Elijah Craig Barrel Proof B524 - Short & Sweet Review

[@jeffwinbush5039]

Finally scored a ECBP B524 today. Now I can pop over that A124 I've been saving. 😁

[@PinkTorpedo909]

Make no mistake. This is an absolutely fantastic pour. It can take a ton of water and it still has plenty of hug. It is certainly hot at first but it opens up with time

[@RobRhodes-c7i]

Great review, I'm a BIG fan of ECBP!! Heaven Hill is on track

[@WhiskeyForge]

I prefer random age statements. I like variety. Age doesn’t always mean quality, especially with bourbon.

[@ItsBourbonNight]

Well said.

[@Despite37]

It needs to be cheaper then if they're going to release a younger product that used to guarantee 12 years.

[@TravisG88]

@@Despite37nope, that’s where you’re wrong. They don’t have to do anything.

[@Despite37]

@@TravisG88 I’m not wrong here buddy. Distilleries removing age statements is a sign they have less older aged barrels and if that’s the case we shouldn’t be having to pay a premium for younger juice 🤡

[@AaronJohnsonlms]

It always was random A123 and prior just at least 12

[@Rustomatic19]

I just bought this 30min ago can't wait to try!

[@johng5710]

I'm curious what state you bought it if you don't mind me asking

[@BondingOverBourbon]

Plum & raisin? Sounds pretty interesting. Thanks for the review, guys. Can't wait to try it for ourselves!

[@tomboustead7588]

Even though I want the 12 year age statement back, I still like the decade plus age statement

[@FakingANerve]

Yeah, it's still a Heaven Hill barrel proof over a decade old for $70. The pearl clutching over the change is a bit ridiculous. Still an amazing deal at MSRP, IMO. Some are better than others, but I've not had one that I wasn't happy that I bought. Cheers.

[@vinole6532]

And don't forget that the age statement is for the youngest barrel in the blend. HH has the freedom to pull some younger barrels that make the cut and still use plenty of 12 and 13+ YO barrels in the batch (which I believe average around 200 barrels).

[@johng5710]

I'm just glad to see an age statement on any bottle...I love transparency

[@pinetreetemple4611]

Corporate bootlicker bitches in here. Its now 80$ in NC. I would rather it be as crazy as it was a few years back and more rare than available and more expensive to buy some twit executives that know nothing about whiskey more boats and mansions

[@Jared40]

A 124 came out and had a spicy note too haven't seen this in stores here in Colorado. Still have bout half bottle of C923

[@whiskeytalkwithbill1248]

Love ur reviews!! Cannot wait to get my hands on this bottle!! Great review! I have a infinity bottle that is only ECBP’s that will be full in maybe B525? Should be amazing. Keep on crushing it!!

[@ItsBourbonNight]

Thank you!!

[@Sound_Groove_of_America]

Which batches do you have in your bottle?

[@kleinster99]

Very good barrel. Cracked it last night and it’s delicious. One of my favorite EC so far. Just got back from picking up a second bottle and checking in on reviews. Went into it without any review influence and it’s a banger. Better than C923

[@jasono.1629]

Great review. I love me a spicy / baking seasonings type of ECBP so this sounds good.

[@-RONNIE]

Thank you both for another good review 🥃

[@DanielDean-w1p]

A124 still on the shelves in PA…keeping an eye out for the next release….cheers

[@johnrodgers6049]

Got the B-batch in pa today

[@jeremyevans4758]

This batch absolutely destroys the a124 for me. A124 was a decent bourbon but quite watered down and 1 dimensional for ECBP. This batch is a kick to the senses and I am here for it. Dark, rich, warm, and lingers with a lot of complexity. If you're a proof chaser, it's worth the price of entry.

[@amvilla12]

Really enjoy y’all’s reviews, one of the view whiskey tubers I actually trust lol. Also, I get these for about $55 so there always a buy for me

[@ItsBourbonNight]

That's awesome!

[@joegorman1976]

I usually try to pick up most batches but I did skip on the A124 this year. I'll be sure to grab this one though... I have 20 bottles total (all between A119 & C923... plus a 140+ proof store pick).

[@semtz11]

Sara said mole and the proceeds to give us the ingredients to make authentic mole sauce!!!! Ill have to check this out 👍🏻

[@shawnmahoney8870]

Picked up a bottle at the Indianapolis Costco for 64.89. I found it a little hot, but very flavorful. It made my recent Jack Daniels Single Barrel/Barrel Poof seen incredibly mild in spite of its’ 133.0 proof……who knew…….

[@swimmer0049]

Might be the best finish I've had in a long time!

[@vinole6532]

Chad, sorry to hear you had Travellers Crud and hope you have fully recovered. It’s so surprising that Buffalo Trace could put out something that can cause some people to become physically ill. 😮

[@jbbourbon178]

This is 😂

[@jamiebrandon8475]

It’s good for beginners

[@nickp5511]

Nice review! As always I’ll be getting this one soon hopefully!

[@ronadkins2780]

Thanks for the review! I hope to find one here in NorCal.

[@bmc2567]

Interesting as this one has gotten mixed reviews. More than not say the finish falls off and dries out. A bit astringent on the finish. Cinnamon seems to be a common theme as well as the spiciness and heat. Guess that’s why everyone’s pallet is different! 😊. Thanks for another good review!

[@NolenNova33]

Yall went through it with this one! It seems hot, wonder how it is past the shoulder after it opens up fully?

[@Janoy_Cresva]

Excited to start seeing this on shelves soon (hopefully)

[@joeappleton6849]

Try some aberlour 12 whiskey

[@pouringwhiskey9203]

I can’t wait to get this bottle my friends, hopefully won’t take too long

[@thomasmoore622]

I don’t mean to diminish anyone’s taste. However I love this release, it’s a beautiful bourbon and needs no water or ice. It’s just a magical brown sugar hug and I love everything about it.

[@ItsBourbonNight]

@@thomasmoore622 The beauty of whiskey!

[@christopherryan7654]

It seems like stores are getting the store picks of ECBP and then are unwilling to carry the regular releases. Same thing happened with the Makers Mark wood finishing series. At least in my area that's what happens.

[@fuzzygremlin88]

Love you guys 😂

[@Lawyerboyleslie72]

I don't get these high proof pours..like how are you supposed to down 2 or 3 at lunch and go back to work?

[@ItsBourbonNight]

Umm, maybe just down 1 and wait until after work to down the rest haha!

[@CharleyCarey]

I wish I could find these. For some reason, its easier for me to find Private Barrel store picks, although in my area those are 8 year picks. Great picks though. Liquid Snickers bars.

[@wrathchylde9539]

I was not a big fan of the "A" batch this year...see if I can get my hands on the "B".

[@go2whiskey]

How would you compare it to B523?

[@877-MASH-NOW]

WHISKEY CHEERS 😎

For those who have picked it up already, what states have you grabbed it in?

[@nickbonvino]

Pennsylvania… $75. It’s excellent!!

[@0369Kramer]

Ohio 69.99

[@jasono.1629]

California. It’s still sitting on shelves here in Sept 2024, along with the other mid batches like A124 and B523, etc.

[@brettheiner7125]

B524 slaps! It’s not C923 good, but just a killer bottle for $75.

[@askthepaperclip]

Sara sounds like she has the crud too... Very husky sounding!

[@ItsBourbonNight]

Yeah, it's been hard to kick it!

[@BourbonSlrChief]

When is this gonna be around?

[@ItsBourbonNight]

The B batches are supposed to be released in May.

[@MooreMortimer]

4225 Vivienne Groves

[@kylewipert11]

So I think it’s less about the age statement and more about the distillery telling their fans that their opinion no longer matters. It makes Heaven Hill look like they are intentionally taking something away instead of it looking like they want to make expert blends when the bourbon has matured to their liking.

[@ItsBourbonNight]

That’s an interesting view point and we respect it. It’s also an interesting topic that we love talking about and getting more feedback on. So, here’s our take. We don’t feel like the fans ever gave the opinion that ECBP should be at least 12 years before. HH just started their barrel proof expression at 12 years age stated and people got used to it. Bourbon is more popular than even and distilleries are still struggling to keep up with demand, especially on older age statement expressions. I think what they are trying to avoid is removing an age statement all together like they did years ago on the 94 proof version. Fans did kick up a fuss over that, but again, we feel like it was because they got used to seeing that 12 year on there, not that they “knew” 12 years was the sweet spot for it. If they had to wait another 9 months for those barrels to age up to 12 years, there could have been a lot less bottles of the B batch released, and who’s to say the 9 months extra age would have made it a superior product. The 11 years and change of this batch is the youngest in the blend. It could be a majority of 12 year or older in there, we just don’t know.

[@codyburgess7034]

What are the codes on the bottle?

[@IvIidnight]

🐱💙🙏🏻👊🏻🌚

[@LuciusFrederica]

Thompson Susan Hall Jose Allen Mark

[@jmartinez4460]

Why release 3 per year at lower age? Cut it back to 2 or 1 and put out a better product. I’m out on these for awhile.

[@makers721]

9 months won’t matter

[@joedian1399]

Is 12 yrs better? This bottle at 11y2m is 7% younger than the 12yr. Does that make it worse? Tell me you would notice those 10 months. At 7% “younger” will u insist on a 7% price drop? In this world of shrinkflation how is this any different? Now if they drop it to a 700ml bottle plus the 3% age drop maybe u could have a point. But on age alone if it still tastes good im buying it! Every time

[@markanderson8677]

To me this release was only slightly above average. There are many better bourbons in the same price range .

[@mikecarystranahan6491]

Still good bourbon with a lil heat. Stop the fear mongering

[@ItsBourbonNight]

@@mikecarystranahan6491 We don’t mind a little heat. No fear mongering here, just pointing out the differences in batches and informing the consumer.

[@jeffscalfano3100]

Downgrading your quality standards is real shitty. That being said I am boycotting any release that's less than 12 years

[@ItsBourbonNight]

But why? If you never taste anything under 12 years of age, how will you know how it differs from the 12 and over? What if you actually like it better, or at least, as much as the 12 year and over?

[@jeffscalfano3100]

I was speaking specifically of a ECBP 12yr boycott. As for trying other things that are less than 12yrs old... thats like everything else on the market including other offerings from Heaven Hill. Obviosly we all have enough of those options. And, what if its better? It wont be.

[@jasono.1629]

I’ve been boycotting ECBP since A121 😂. I only hunt for 2020 and older batches now. But that’s only cause I can l still find them. If I couldn’t I’d be buying B524.

[@MatthewJoyceAUS]

Mocks people concerned about younger age statement then proceeds to taste and describe every single tasting note that would normally be attributed to younger whiskey.

[@ItsBourbonNight]

Sometimes it’s the case, other times it’s not. And that crazy spicy almost pepper note was way out of left field, can’t pin that one to “younger” whiskey (11 years isn’t young in our book or pretty much anyone else’s I would dare to say). What we were commenting about are those who make up their mind about a whiskey based solely on the specs before even trying it.