Which 2022 Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Is Best?

[@waydechristophel7889]

When drink my C922 i find its my favorite of the last 5 releases and doesnt come across as proofy as the other lower proof. LIVE IT

[@jtreadwell6197]

Picked up a c922 today. Was hoping to find an a123 but better luck next week. Am very much enjoying the c922. It’s the first Elijah Craig’s barrel proof I have tried. Had to rewatch this video as I sipped it 😂

[@mattwilsonii2098]

B522 was my first barrel proof whiskey and is now my absolute favorite. Great video, fellas. As always.

[@ecconico]

Good to hear. Just bought my first barrel proof as well. And just like you B522 is what I bought. I haven’t opened yet, but I was hoping it was SLB choice A.

[@audiodeluxe7647]

Agreed

[@brysontaylor1223]

Living in a completely controlled state the ONE benefit to this system is I get every ECBP at MSRP. Which if I’m being honest I’d take over getting the occasional BT product.

[@aarondrellich9132]

I have all 3, 5 bottles of C922 because to me it blew away the others, and I need it to last until C923!

[@slbdrinks]

Lol! Glad you enjoy it!

[@Toolate2024]

Just got hold of the A and C but would love to grab the B for a full review myself. Keep the comparisons coming. VERY VERY Helpful

[@os4hwks757]

C922 is by far my favorite!

[@CGsYTChannel]

Some of my favorite bottles! I really like the private barrel, barrel proofs

[@MFLO1]

Shows how much pallets vary because myself and many others in the comments prefer the C922. Great video as always

[@slbdrinks]

Our C922 was a fresh crack so that might have been a factor.

[@TheMNbassHunter]

Thank goodness for ECBP. This is one allocated release I can regularly get. On top of that I find private releases here and there. Each one, whether standard or private, has been quite good especially for the price.

[@Redhillsbourbon2]

Great video. My dad used to call back to the house at 8am every morning during the summer. Let it ring until you answered. Can’t sleep all day!

[@slbdrinks]

Ha! That’s awesome!

[@jasono.1629]

Great comparison! Amazingly the older batches can still be found if one is willing to hunt. I’m in Manhattan New York right now on vacation and I found B517 for $120 in the first liquor store I peeked in. Back home in CA I’ve found and bought B520 three times this year at $100.

[@GoneFishin5]

That would be a cool video to see you blind older ECBP’s and then put the best from each year in a blind together.

[@Scott-co4dq]

Mash and Drum did an episode where he did some recent batches and some older ones. B522 came in third, but C922 was not out when that video was made.

[@CorvetteBill364]

You two gentlemen are doing a great job of helping a beginner to understand the basics of favors of the drinks. I really like your contents. Thank You…😊

[@marks5757]

The early versions of ECBP were generally high 130's..138, 139, 140 proof versions. They have seem to come down in the past years. I know I still have some of these old ones in cabinets somewhere

[@FakingANerve]

Well you clearly we need to address that. I would be happy to help..

[@fredbaker6315]

I found a bottle of A122 on the shelf in 2023, after seeing your blind I am so glad I bought this bottle. It’s in my cache now with my C923 bottle, not sure when I will crack these bad boys but glad I have them in the collection. On to the hunt….

[@hollyjhj3732]

I'm glad Mrs. SLB corresponded the labels with the actual letter variations because all those letters were swimming in my head this early in the morning. 😃 Great video as always, guys!

[@slbdrinks]

That was pretty sneaky of her lol!

[@bheylock1]

Scored the B522 today in Jacksonville.. searched for “Elijah craig barrel proof SLB” and this video popped up. Y’all kick ass.

[@ikiruyamamoto1050]

Thanks for the video. It's kinda cool that you and It's Bourbon Night picked the same winner A122.

[@100puremustard5]

Interesting comparison. I thought C922 was fantastic right from the neck pour. Love the rich oak on it and the finish goes for days! Just picked up A122 for $56.99 at Costco... Love Costco!!!

[@beausoter1763]

Totally agree with you!

[@raymondlai4173]

ECBP at Costco? How could it be possible... considering there are so few of them?

[@100puremustard5]

@@raymondlai4173 probably the 3rd or 4th time I've seen it there. I've also seen Remus V and a MWND the year before. But the craziest I ever heard was a guy got a case of Coy Hill at Modesto Ca Costco, $49.99 each 😳 Talk about right place right time!

[@raymondlai4173]

@@100puremustard5 Crazy...

[@eltro7208]

I have B and C and enjoy both of them. Found them on the shelf in PA.

[@bradleytolliver2104]

First time I've seen A win. People were complaining about the sharpie smell etc. B was my favorite

[@mbranbb]

I will say the C922 was disappointing when I first opened it. BUT that bottle has opened up VERY VERY nicely since being opened. It seems to have gotten smoother, more well rounded, and I couldn’t be happier. Cheers everyone.

[@TCayFF]

Best freaking bourbon channel on KZbin!

[@saltylettuce7541]

I recently picked up the EC C922. I thought it was great. Haven't tried the A or B yet tho.

[@primaltone]

Any of these are hard to find for me. I had to order the B522 from the west coast. Glad I got the B! The A must be magical based on your and other reviews I've seen.

[@fredbaker6315]

Having been lucky enough to score a bottle of B522 which I loved I will be on hunt for the A122. Thanks for the video

[@davevogelsang6791]

I picked up EC Barrel Proof A123 from Harry at Bee Discount Liquors yesterday on my way to KY. I was able to find a bottle of EC Barrel Proof B522 and Larceny Barrel Proof C922 in Florence, KY. On to Louisville tomorrow.

[@nickp5511]

Nice, I like the 522, 122, then the 922! Great show

[@granttonner7491]

Just picked up a C922 sitting on the shelf at BevMo! Here in Southern California I’ve never seen a ECBP sitting on a shelf. Looking forward to trying .

[@zachariahzedd8124]

State control liver here, I have always been able to get ECBP. Have passed up a few, though I’ve seen every release since I’ve started “hunting”.

[@BretSimmons]

ECBP is my all time favorite. Best value in bourbon. I'd love to see you put your favorite leases from the last couple years on a blind

[@baconator1550]

5:56 tag this… a lot of us have never been talked to like that from our Dads… great moment!!!

[@jeffreybessent3591]

An blind of your favorite barrel proofs over the years would be sweet

[@TerrenceKoch]

I'd love to see, a best of the best - Choosing the favorite release from each year, in a semi-blind comparison taste off. Cheers!

[@paintballjunkie65]

A122 is the only one I was able to find this year, here in CO! Haha

[@MrZanzibar123]

Same in NM!

[@mitchilito99]

Last night I did a taste-thru of these 3 bottles. But before I did that I had a taste of 1792 Barrel Proof (not on purpose, just worked out that way). Well the rest of the evening I was so disappointed with the ECBPS! I'm going to try again soon without the 1792 and see what happens. I will say this: the 1792 is freeking delicious (especially if you let it air out for a good 30 -45 minutes).

[@TheReal_DeanD]

It definitely is based on the area. I just got batch C922 this morning. And it was the only one left on the shelf. I talk to the guy working there and he said we only got one.

[@jP-nw7nm]

That's awesome 👍🏼 over at It's Bourbon Knight Sarah and Chad also had a hard time with A122 and B522.

[@iamthesenate6827]

Interesting! I also have all 3, but found C to be the best and most complex. I’ve always wondered if there’s bottle variation between batches, or if people’s pallets are just that different. Great video as always!

[@slbdrinks]

Palates will def tend to be different. We just opened C so some air may help open it up as well. Ex) my wife hates spaghetti but I love it lol! Bourbon will always be subjective lending to all the great conversations!

[@iamthesenate6827]

@@slbdrinks glad this turned out to be a mixup. I was questioning my palate and taste on an existential level!

[@coreyallert1482]

Completely agree C922 is my favorite and B522 while good impressed me the least

[@slbdrinks]

Sorry, that was not good on my part.

[@iamthesenate6827]

@@slbdrinks no need to apologize. Thank you all for the continuous wonderful content. Cheers!

[@robertv4673]

Just found an old, dusty A122 at a store today. Obviously, been sitting there for awhile. Picked it up based on your review - thanks!

[@robertbooth3367]

The ECBPs always get even better with some air time so batch C might have been at a slight disadvantage today. This product was the first bourbon that I truly "got" / REALLY liked when I was getting into the whiskey world so it will always be a favorite. A 12 year quality barrel proof, even at $80 is a great bargain these days so I will never pass on even a 'relatively' weak batch. Love ECBP

[@slbdrinks]

One of the best yearly allocated imo!

[@kaiyadaddy]

Happy I got the A122. It's the only bottle I can find in Hawaii from the 2022 releases. But I love it. I like the B520 better but still good

[@slbdrinks]

B520 is one of the best imo!

[@Farcry-yh4mu]

found a Michter's sour mash shortly after your review on Michter's. I bought it based on your praise of it and man it didn't disappoint. Thanks for the tip

[@slbdrinks]

Glad you love it!

[@stevecrowder4645]

Love the show. I was watching the other day and you mentioned that Cincy stores had a lot more allocated bourbon than we can get here in In. Do you have a specific store that you frequent. Thanks Steve

[@slbdrinks]

We have a few. Trail Inn and Triangle in Valparaiso. Bees liquor in Hobart. Wiseguys in Valpo is pretty good to but the save a lot of allocated bottles for their yearly lottery drawing.

[@stevecrowder4645]

How about stores in Cinncinatti?

[@clingman71]

140.2, I believe was the highest proof ECBP- old style bottle. That hazmat batch is delicious!

[@slbdrinks]

Lol that is smokin!

[@Ldybelladonna]

A few years back they had a 122 that was awsome. Went around to stores in the area buying it had 7 bottles. Next year they had a 132 I didnt like as much. I drank my last 122 in November

[@slbdrinks]

They do vary some but every once in a while you get a hitter! 7 bottles is pretty awesome so kudos to you for that!

[@mcwhiskey3005]

Great video, definitely compare the other releases to this years releases! And as one person commented already there’s definitely a large hum from the microphone.

[@slbdrinks]

Thanks for the input. I am going to refer back to the video and check it out.

[@dane5896]

I just picked up a second bottle of the C922, it's very good. Also bought a bottle of JDBP, first taste last night. Disappointed. Tastes totally different from when it first came out. I hope it improves.

[@slbdrinks]

That’s not good?! I have had my bottle for a while so no recent purchases.

[@TheBGH21]

I just snagged an A122 BP PB 10-yr for $69 in New Jersey. Please keep up the great content!

[@frankc2045]

I'd like to see a Barrel Proof battle, ECBP, WTRB, JDBP and EHTBP. To be transparent, I've only had ECBP, EHTBP and WTRB.

[@WeightsNGunz]

Just bought and tried C922 tonight and really like it, but I haven’t tried A and B.

[@raymondlai4173]

B522 is definitely the lest favorite of 2022 batches. It's April 17 2023 now and I am seeing a bunch of them in stores. I couldn't find any A122 or C922 anywhere (A123 as well, for that matter).

[@michaelmadigan8456]

As usual, great content. I have the B only, would you suggest pass on the C and get something else, funds are not unlimited 😢

[@GrandslamSammy]

I love the videos.. I don't mean to be critical. However, there is a pretty loud buzzing sound in the audio. It may be beneficial to invest in some nice mics to put on the bar top to capture a cleaner audio. Again, love the videos and I watch every one you guys make. Keep up the good work boys.

[@slbdrinks]

Thanks for the input!

[@anthonyavila4027]

I've never been disappointed with any of the barrel proofs going back to when I got heavily into bourbon over the last few years.

[@CharleyCarey]

Found my first ECBP the other day at a mom and pop shop. It was the A122 lol

[@exjw8623]

Did you guys take to whiskey right away? If not, how long did it take you to get past the alcohol wall and start smelling and tasting the different aromas and flavors?

[@slbdrinks]

Not right away for me! It does take time kind of like coffee. Not to many people like coffee at first sip.

[@brentworls8509]

Picked up a C922 today. Gonna keep an eye out for the others.

[@gokdog1999]

Only one I have found is A122 here in Colorado, still on a few shelves..

[@matthewsalazar3575]

So…from what I’ve seen in Pennsylvania, we do get EC Barrel Proof…however I am not sure if we get all the varieties. I do know we don’t get it as often as I would like. Only thing is, I prefer the EC Toasted much more.

[@tranmd80]

Took quite awhile for me to come across any ECBP, and in two days I found both b522 and c922, no A122. Had high hope for the C, but shocked it came in last for you guys. Hopefully I can find the A and have 3 to review them myself.

[@slbdrinks]

Plz do! C was a fresh crack so that might have been a factor.

[@jasonkappel2630]

would love to see a video of an ECBP "best of the year" comparison over the past few years.

[@sk8terpunk2001]

What's crazy is I got the same review for the c922 as you did for your fav A. I thought your A was the 922 the way you were describing it. I don't think the c922 was disappointing at all. But now I'm going to have to try the A now and see how that goes for me hahahaha.

[@slbdrinks]

Unfortunately I have to believe I switched these glasses inadvertently. After all the comments like yours I went back to all 3 bottles and the c922 was better. Sorry for the confusion.

[@markpowers349]

Thanks for the video

[@mikethompson9118]

Annual release review is never a bad video

[@Greedman456]

Great video!!! How cool of you to do this. I can't get any of the a and b releases here in Greece right now but if I see any I will grab em immediately. Edit: I believe trendon being with you onset is a great addition. Love the interaction between the two of you and also both of your takes which many times are different and that makes it all the more interesting. Additionally, when you both agree it's most probably a definite so I like that when I have to make a choice that will cost over 50 euros haha. Thanks for the videos again, and keep it up. Much love.from Greece

[@slbdrinks]

Thanks so much! Trent is definitely doing a great job!

[@kevinmathis1278]

Great video fellas. I always enjoy them.

[@byronsimms4965]

How was C921 I found a bottle and was thinking of grabbing it ?

[@slbdrinks]

They are all very good. Hard to go wrong with ECBP!

[@ObiJuan86]

Great vid, thanks SLB

[@scottradermacher6122]

Good review boys! I can hear a ECBP bracket competition maybe???!! Put them up against each other in pairs and let’s see what the best batch is! Overall a solid release year after year, not to mention some of the store picks. I appreciate you 👍

[@slbdrinks]

Good idea!

[@mrgoodbar2592]

recently tried russels reserve 10 year because of you guys. My first bottle was amazing. I could smell and taste caramel was the dominant flavor and smell for me. My second bottle however that I am drinking now is not as good. Very sad by that but hopeful for the next one.

[@slbdrinks]

I have talked to others who have found distinct differences between bottles.

[@josephmaschari1073]

I'm new to this, been watching you for a while and l am learning a lot. What do you mean by allocated whiskeys?

[@slbdrinks]

Allocated are the “special releases “ a distillery puts out every year. Ex) old forester birthday bourbon, old Fitzgerald bib, blood oath, etc. Less bottles so only a certain number will be “allocated” to each area. Good question!

[@chaseclough7521]

How about folding in a comparison with "Private Barrel" picks? I assume that's more difficult based on availability, but having just gotten into the EC game I've seen those at 8-10 years and would be interesting to see how age factors in with these at 12 year.

[@thebigcor]

I've got an 8, 9, and 10 yr store picks and they're all definitely unique. the proof makes em punchy but the age changes how much oak you get.

[@slbdrinks]

That’s actually a great video idea! I just did get my first EC private barrel.

[@Scott-co4dq]

@@thebigcor I've had the same experience as I also have an 8, 9 and 10. Based on my small sample size age > proof. Going forward my preferred target for a store pick is at least 10 years and > 130 proof in that order.

[@tomdelay5280]

Private barrel was the best, but i never got the A batch

[@paleggett1897]

Brownies are never burnt, they just have added character😋

[@slbdrinks]

Yes! Much better way to say it!

[@paulhughes3961]

I loved this video it was really interesting. I haven't tried any of the Old Forester bourbons but I will be going out tomorrow to get the 100 first.

[@slbdrinks]

Hope you love it!

[@anthonyspadavecchio2036]

Thank Kurt and Trenton 😊for another great show how do I send you a bottle that I like for you to do a review on I’m in Florida so please let me know how to go about doing that

[@slbdrinks]

Thank you for your generosity! You can email Trent at [e-mail] or message me on Facebook or Instagram.

[@forcedair92gt94]

I just found ECBP B522 for $39.99. Then did a search for an SLB review. I might go back and get another one.

[@msa4998]

Really shocking. I’m usually in line with you all, but I blinded my C921 and A122 and C921 was the clear winner as I found A122 “sharp” and not very well rounded. C921 drank so well for the entire bottle. I have not opened B522 or C922 so we will see. Agree this is all relative … I would still not turn A122 down. Nice job!

[@slbdrinks]

They are so fun to blind because in general they are mostly so good!

[@HamTurkey]

I’ve talked with an Indiana rep. They told me on average Indiana gets 300 cases of ECBP for each release.

[@slbdrinks]

Good to know!

[@ebunch1911]

As always Gentlemen great video and work!!! Creative content. 🥃🥃🥃

[@henrikskriver5107]

That is a good show to start the weekend 😃 you guys rock 👍

[@jimcole2648]

There is some new private barrel proof that’s 135proof that I saw. What’s your take on that one?

[@jswan2852]

My barrel proof I got last year was 133 proof

[@sdefonta]

Odd, I just tried the C922 and would swear you were describing it as the A. Super viscous. I would say the nose is not as good as the palate though

[@EverydayDrinker]

have yet to pick any of these up and I know starting next year I will be sure to get all of them!

[@slbdrinks]

They all are consistently good!

[@johns3387]

Kurt, Trenton I have a Elijah craig small batch it’s so chemical it’s bordering on undrinkable this can’t be normal what’s happened to it so you think???

[@slbdrinks]

Not sure, I haven’t bought another bottle in a while. Hope that’s not the new trend.

[@markknister6272]

Good time.

[@dunny2124]

Plz do all years 2019-22, very curious ❤👍

[@slbdrinks]

Thinking bout doing it on the next live show!

[@petertumminaro4528]

love to see a blind over ice or with water added

[@patricksprauer711]

Enjoying the show. Does someone have to be able to describe the flavor to maximally enjoy the whiskey flavor? I’m a nube and enjoy the flavors but am horrible at describing what I’m tasting.

[@slbdrinks]

Absolutely not! It’s good enough to know what you like and don’t like! Enjoy and have fun! That’s all that matters

[@benknotes9450]

Might be cool to blind some older ECBP's, pick favorites from each year, then blind the best from each year.

[@slbdrinks]

Yes!

[@dustinroller7680]

I love these blinds you guys do , Can we get a woodford lineup blind, I think it would be interesting?????????

[@slbdrinks]

Yes it would!

[@buckybadgerphd]

Unobtainium in S. WI.

[@michaeljohnson6201]

What is a fair price for an ECBP? The only ones I have seen by me are going for 99 bones.

[@Scott-co4dq]

That's a little high. I've routinely been able to find the different batches in the $70 ~ $80 range.

[@michaeljohnson6201]

@@Scott-co4dq thanks. I’ve only seen them at one store by me, same with the toasted.

[@Robert.Sheard]

We don't see a lot of it, but the official North Carolina price is $70.

[@boydmasonlake1995]

$100 in iowa

[@boydmasonlake1995]

I will add im ok with $100 for what I get, especially b522. Another way to look at it is 12 yr old barrel proof at $70 retail is a bargain

[@conradkostelecky7935]

Never ever seen any ECBP in my area. Maybe 1 day.

[@slbdrinks]

Hopefully soon!

[@edhernz1583]

Wow lucky me I just bought a c921 😅

[@darrellknight4110]

Do you guys always drink your stuff I think they call it neat

[@slbdrinks]

The majority yes but not always. There are a few I really enjoy over an ice cube.

[@waydechristophel7889]

LOVE IT