What is your go-to older bourbon now that Elijah Craig 18-year is gone?

[enn]

Elijah Craig 18-year was one of my favorite bourbons and I'm kind of at a loss on what to do now that it's gone. I've been drinking Buffalo Trace and Weller 12-year, but I really miss the older stuff.

What is the most reasonably-priced alternative to the EC 18? I just can't see paying $140 for the new 20-year expression.

[IowaJeff]

I'm with you enn. I like that older, oakier flavor every now and then as a change of pace and don't know where I'll find it, because I don't like it enough to spend $100+. The EC12 kind of brings that oakier flavor, even if its not over-aged.

[JayMonster]

KBD Pure Kentucky XO may fit the bill if OAK is what you are after.

It is Heaven Hill distillation that while it states to be "at least 12 years old" has far more oak than EC12.

[Gillman]

Pure Kentucky XO or EC 12.

Gary

[tommyboy38]

Pappy 15 will do nicely.

[unclebunk]

Come to Chicago, boys! There's still shitloads of EC18 on the shelves and you can load up.:grin:

[GaryT]

Elijah Craig 18-year was one of my favorite bourbons and I'm kind of at a loss on what to do now that it's gone. I've been drinking Buffalo Trace and Weller 12-year, but I really miss the older stuff.

What is the most reasonably-priced alternative to the EC 18? I just can't see paying $140 for the new 20-year expression.

I'd read somewhere that it was gone, and that it wasn't, and that it might be. Does anyone have confirmation that it is or isn't gone? I've still got a bottle from when I toured Heaven Hill last year.

In terms of a similarly priced bourbon of similar quality, great question. I like Noah's Mill which isn't quite as refined, but brings a nice musty/oak flavor for a few bucks less.

[enn]

Where are you seeing it in Chicago? It disappeared from the Binnys website in the past couple of days, and Warehouse Liquors, my other local bourbon source, doesn't have it anymore either.

I appreciate all of the suggestions for alternatives.

[MyOldKyDram]

Bunkering a few Vintage 17s, I suppose.

[Clavius]

I can confirm that EC18 is in fact gone. I work retail in the wine and spirits biz. A salesman from Southern Wine & Spirits, the HH distributor in my state, told me it would be gone for 3 years.

[savagehenry]

2 left at Bevmo:

http://www.bevmo.com/Shop/ProductDetail.aspx?D=elijah+craig&Ntx=mode%2bmatchall&Dx=mode%2bmatchall&Ntk=All&Nty=1&Ntt=elijah+craig&N=0&ProductID=4106

I'd buy them myself, but I've been put on temporary purchasing restriction by the wife.

[Tico]

2 left at Bevmo:

http://www.bevmo.com/Shop/ProductDetail.aspx?D=elijah+craig&Ntx=mode%2bmatchall&Dx=mode%2bmatchall&Ntk=All&Nty=1&Ntt=elijah+craig&N=0&ProductID=4106

I'd buy them myself, but I've been put on temporary purchasing restriction by the wife.

And that's just for shipping, there is still tons on the store shelves.

[unclebunk]

Where are you seeing it in Chicago? It disappeared from the Binnys website in the past couple of days, and Warehouse Liquors, my other local bourbon source, doesn't have it anymore either.

I appreciate all of the suggestions for alternatives.

It may not be on their web site but there's plenty still sitting on the shelves in more than one Binny's I've visited recently. I'm also seeing it in other liquor stores, though it may go quickly now that word is out of its temporary demise.

[enn]

It's definitely gone from the Lakeview Binny's--just checked. Maybe it's more widely available in the suburban stores?

[Lost Pollito]

It's definitely gone from the Lakeview Binny's--just checked. Maybe it's more widely available in the suburban stores?

Basically all gone at this point. Sad.

[petrel800]

I stopped by Heaven Hill on the way back from Indianapolis at the end of May, and the gentleman who gave us the tour did confirm the 18 is done for the time being, and said their last shipment of it had just gone out. He said it was a big order and said that "supposedly" it was going to Costco. Not sure the truth to that, but might be worth a look if you have a Costco liquor store in your area.

I don't personally like the EC18, if I want that much Oak I'll drink a Montelena Chardonnay, but good luck in your searches. I still see bottles around the Atlanta, Columbus, and Augusta, GA areas, but it is dwindling.

[Restaurant man]

Had an EC18 tonight because I haven't had it in years. Now I remember why I don't drink it regularly. The wood is out of balance to me

[Brisko]

I stopped by Heaven Hill on the way back from Indianapolis at the end of May, and the gentleman who gave us the tour did confirm the 18 is done for the time being, and said their last shipment of it had just gone out. He said it was a big order and said that "supposedly" it was going to Costco. Not sure the truth to that, but might be worth a look if you have a Costco liquor store in your area.

I don't personally like the EC18, if I want that much Oak I'll drink a Montelena Chardonnay, but good luck in your searches. I still see bottles around the Atlanta, Columbus, and Augusta, GA areas, but it is dwindling.

I know my Costco usually has a skid of it. Haven't checked lately.

[jcg9779]

I've never seen EC18 at the Costco stores in Atlanta. Typically just Makers and Kirkland SmB.

[petrel800]

I've never seen EC18 at the Costco stores in Atlanta. Typically just Makers and Kirkland SmB.

I should probably clear up my statement. I've never personally seen it at Costco around Georgia, the gentleman at Heaven Hill said the shipment went to Costco, beyond that, who knows what markets they will distribute it to.

For the record, I did stop at the Tower in Doraville, just North of Atlanta this afternoon, they had 3 bottles of the EC18, however the price was magically $60, I recall it typically being $50. Just in case anyone in the ATL is looking for it.

[tsangster]

... however the price was magically $60, I recall it typically being $50. Just in case anyone in the ATL is looking for it.

Don't expect to find it any cheaper in ATH. Not my usual stop but I saw it for $62 yesterday. I was thinking the last bottle I purchased was closer to $45.

[DPPSmoker]

I'm new to bourbon and just starting a collection. When I saw that EC18 would cease production, I ran to my llc to pick up the last bottle (I had seen it there one week earlier). I got my bottle for $46. It had more than its fair share of dust on it.

Here is HH's press release for the EC20 replacing EC18. http://www.heavenhill.com/detail/140

[MauiSon]

God Bless my liquor store - when an item is discontinued, they discount it to make it go away [instead of raising the price because it's going away]. 3 bottles <$40/ea

Edited August 7, 2012 by MauiSon

[deathevocation]

God Bless my liquor store - when an item is discontinued, they discount it to make it go away [instead of raising the price because it's going away]. 3 bottles <$40/ea

Lucky. I think my store still has it. After it's slapped with the "Australian" tax, it's around $135. I'll buy one spare bottle for the bunker.

[Bmac]

I know a store in Dallas that likely .still has a bottle. I think I might just go bunker it and see how many more he has.