New Elijah Craig 12 Label

[cowdery]

Nothing succeeds like success. That's what's going on here. It has nothing to do with the 1996 fire or PHC or anything else. It has to do with a strong bourbon market and demand outstripping supply. EC 18 is the oldest regularly-issued bourbon in HH's line, at least in the U.S., so they plan that inventory pretty carefully but never want to overshoot because aging whiskey for 18 years is very expensive and if they don't sell it all, there isn't a lot they can do with the leftovers.

As with the other 'shortages,' they have so much product coming of age each year and maybe that means some places will run out before the next batch is ready. I have no doubt that the number of cases released goes up every year, but demand has been so strong it hasn't been enough.

Overall, the present popularity of bourbon whiskey is good for enthusiasts, but it means we have to share.

[peterlake]

It's also worth noting that Michigan retailers don't really do private bottlings. The closest I saw was a store that had Knob Creek in wooden boxes with the store's name on it a few years ago. I would guess that the state control system makes it impossible to do a retailer bottling.

I recently talked to two stores in Michigan who are getting single barrels of EC12. One of them even had a tasting event so that the patrons could help choose the barrel, unfortunately I had to work that night.

[callmeox]

I recently talked to two stores in Michigan who are getting single barrels of EC12. One of them even had a tasting event so that the patrons could help choose the barrel, unfortunately I had to work that night.

My understanding of the control system in MI is that the state sets the minimum price and also what can be sold, but retailers own the product on the shelf in their stores. In that scenario I see room for private barrel selections.

The rules in Ohio where all of the booze on the store shelves belongs to the state and is sold on consignment does not lend itself to barrel selections at retail beyond the Knob Creek embossed box style.

[Rughi]

Any idea if they're still stocking #4? I have been looking to finally try McKenna BIB and I'd love for it to be non-chill-filtered.

The new barrel (Ledgers barrel 11) should be in within a couple of weeks.

This is not the standard profile for McKenna, it is specifically chosen from the top floor of a rickhouse at the Fairfield-Schenley site on Bloomfield Road. We find that in addition to the position in the rick making a difference in the juice, each of Heaven Hill's four warehouse sites has certain characteristics.

Roger

[Josh]

I recently talked to two stores in Michigan who are getting single barrels of EC12. One of them even had a tasting event so that the patrons could help choose the barrel, unfortunately I had to work that night.

Sounds promising! Was one of them A & L?

[ethangsmith]

I'm friends with HH's Heritage Center of Facebook and they posted a photo today proclaiming the last of the EC18 has been bottled as is on the shelf at the Heritage Center. The exact caption:

"This is all the Elijah Craig 18 year old we have left, when these bottles are gone, that's it!"

So are the actually going to kill the brand or is this just misinformation AGAIN from a distiller?

[CorvallisCracker]

Yeah, went to the site, and that's what they seem to be saying. They also say it will be back in production in 4-5 years.

Also confirmed that there will be a barrel strength version of EC12.

Link to the page:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Heaven-Hill-Distilleries-Bourbon-Heritage-Center/163869442000

[Jwilly019]

Sounds promising! Was one of them A & L?

I remember from a previous thread that one was indeed A&L.

[c2walker]

Yeah, went to the site, and that's what they seem to be saying. They also say it will be back in production in 4-5 years.

Also confirmed that there will be a barrel strength version of EC12.

Link to the page:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Heaven-Hill-Distilleries-Bourbon-Heritage-Center/163869442000

FWIW Heaven Hill (in the thread linked to above) states that the barrel strength EC12 will be bottled for the distillery gift shop and they're aiming to have it ready for the Derby. Unfortunately the bottles sold in the HH gift shop are extremely overpriced.

[StraightNoChaser]

The HH fire was almost 18 years ago so makes sense they might soon be short of 18yr+ barrels

I was kind of wrong about this, 18 years from the fire would be in 2014. But that still ties in with a 4-5 year gap. Have they bottled most of their stock that's older than 18 years in special releases like EW23?

[BarrelChar]

I often see EC 18's from various months in 1989, 1990, 1991 & 1992. Is there a thread where people have recommended particular batches from those years? Given the variance in bottles, some being musty and others vibrant, I'd love to have that link.

Currently enjoying my latest EC 12 (old style bottle) with the numbers "35 77 42 11" going from top-to-bottom, left-to-right on the bottom of the bottle. It's a good mix of heavy vanilla, a dash of dried fruit & nutmeg, and a surprisingly woody finish, like antique furniture. It's slightly bitter, so it loses a few points, but it's quite unique and a solid value.

[mrviognier]

Can you cite where that is stated? I would like to pass that along to an Oregon distiller.

I am sure that your distiller buddy has a compliance agent that works for him. I'd say have him reach out to the agent.

BTW, a local store here in MN recently debuted their EC18 private bottling. While the label is the regular 18yr (with the shop's logo), the barrel age statement on the back results in a 20+ year bottling.

[dohidied]

The new barrel (Ledgers barrel 11) should be in within a couple of weeks.

This is not the standard profile for McKenna, it is specifically chosen from the top floor of a rickhouse at the Fairfield-Schenley site on Bloomfield Road. We find that in addition to the position in the rick making a difference in the juice, each of Heaven Hill's four warehouse sites has certain characteristics.

Roger

Very cool. I'll keep my eyes peeled.

[Flyfish]

FWIW Heaven Hill (in the thread linked to above) states that the barrel strength EC12 will be bottled for the distillery gift shop and they're aiming to have it ready for the Derby. Unfortunately the bottles sold in the HH gift shop are extremely overpriced.

The boys at HH tell us that the bourbon in their gift shop is deliberately priced so as not to compete with the retailers who handle their product. I can respect that.

We visited a winery last year where their $20 wine was availale in the supermarket for $13.99. My wife brought this to the attention of the girl handing the tasting. "Yes," said the girl, "but they don't give you free samples at the Red Lion." My wife was not impressed. We prefer the attitude at HH. Sometimes we even buy our EW SB there even though it might be a couple dollars cheaper at Liquor Barn. You catch more flies with honey. If you are interested in flies.

[kyrocklover]

I believe the distilleries are contractually obligated to sell at the gift shop at a higher $ amount. I have been told that on two different occasions at two different distilleries. TIFWIW.

[mrviognier]

I believe the distilleries are contractually obligated to sell at the gift shop at a higher $ amount. I have been told that on two different occasions at two different distilleries. TIFWIW.

If you believe that, I've got a bridge in New York I'd like to sell you.

Folks who are telling you that are deflecting. The truth is that most tasting rooms (be they distilleries, wineries or breweries) are ALWAYS going to have pricing that reflects the high end of the SRP. And the reason is - in this age of internet sales, etc. - that they don't want any bad blood with retailers across the nation.

[Young Blacksmith]

I think all the EC12's have the same 77 and 42 numbers, must be a bottle manufacturing code or something. The 11 is the approximate year.

BarrelChar, check this thread out. http://www.straightbourbon.com/forums/showthread.php?t=16389&highlight=EC18

[cas]

Sounds promising! Was one of them A & L?

I attended that tasting a few weeks ago and mentioned in another thread. There were three choices - the highest was ~132 proof, if I remember correctly. But they explained that the bottling would be at the regular proof, otherwise it would have to go through the MI system as a distinct bottling.

Craig

[Ejmharris]

If you believe that, I've got a bridge in New York I'd like to sell you.

Folks who are telling you that are deflecting. The truth is that most tasting rooms (be they distilleries, wineries or breweries) are ALWAYS going to have pricing that reflects the high end of the SRP. And the reason is - in this age of internet sales, etc. - that they don't want any bad blood with retailers across the nation.

I will definitely trust you on this topic. I always assumed it was because most gifts shop customers were not enthusiast and in the know about what prices typically are. They could take advantage of the momentum and excitement about being at the distillery.

[BFerguson]

I attended that tasting a few weeks ago and mentioned in another thread. There were three choices - the highest was ~132 proof, if I remember correctly. But they explained that the bottling would be at the regular proof, otherwise it would have to go through the MI system as a distinct bottling.

Craig

Wow, that seems downright low to the barrels I rated for a recent pick, the low there was 144 and the high end was 154.

Hopefully, they should be coming in soon.

B

[cas]

Wow, that seems downright low to the barrels I rated for a recent pick, the low there was 144 and the high end was 154.

Hopefully, they should be coming in soon.

B

Well, the other two were in the teens - 116 or 118 or something similar, so you had something really different from what we were served.

Craig

[Vovan]

Fair enough, I didn't know certain areas of the state got certain bottles and others didn't.

Anyway, if you're ever in Columbus, we've got it here.

I live in C-bus as well. Can you tell me where I can find EC 18? I've been looking everywhere :-(

Thanks!