Elijah Craig Barrel Proof

[Paul W]

After reading this thread, guess I can stop feeling bad about having paid $65 and start wondering if I should go back for the other two at the same store.

[Scotch Neat]

Bought a few Batch 3 for 45, today found Batch 4 for 52, guess bourbon going up in price in leaps and bounds.

Wish I liked vodka!

[HP12]

Bought a few Batch 3 for 45, today found Batch 4 for 52, guess bourbon going up in price in leaps and bounds.

Wish I liked vodka!

Why? What's the point? Yuck. You're in the right libation lane!!

[JDSmith619]

Its substantially better than Stagg Jr.....just wish it was as easily obtainable. I buy it every chance I get.

[flahute]

Its substantially better than Stagg Jr.....just wish it was as easily obtainable. I buy it every chance I get.

Ha! It's the opposite here. I've never seen Jr. on the shelf and yet we are awash in ECBP. Distribution is strange.

[KyleCBreese]

Ha! It's the opposite here. I've never seen Jr. on the shelf and yet we are awash in ECBP. Distribution is strange.

I wish that were the case here in NJ. I've never even seen an ECBP (not even one sitting in a case for 10x retail), but I could get you a case of Stagg Jr.

[mbroo5880i]

Ha! It's the opposite here. I've never seen Jr. on the shelf and yet we are awash in ECBP. Distribution is strange.

I have seen both on the shelf before, rare, of course. I have seen Stagg Jr. more frequently.

[JDSmith619]

Walked into my normal spot this morning and found a Batch 4 on sale...with they'd had more

[bourbonfoot]

Walked into my normal spot this morning and found a Batch 4 on sale...with they'd had more

Great price! Glad you found one!

[Cards fan]

I bought a batch 5 for 49.99 + tax. The label says 69.99 but he honored my usual price when he has a bottle.

[Jiggity]

Bought a few bottles of Batch 5 today for $70/ea. That's the most I've paid for ECBP, but I've enjoyed every release and it's semi-hard to find. I'll gladly pay the $25 premium if it means I can lock up enough supply to have some year round.

[mbroo5880i]

Bought a few bottles of Batch 5 today for $70/ea. That's the most I've paid for ECBP, but I've enjoyed every release and it's semi-hard to find. I'll gladly pay the $25 premium if it means I can lock up enough supply to have some year round.

It is really nice on a chilly Fall evening or, like we can a lot of in the Midwest last year, cold snowy days.

[tigerlam92]

It is really nice on a chilly Fall evening or, like we can a lot of in the Midwest last year, cold snowy days.

Or a hot summer day with some melted ice for nice thick syrupy.

[flahute]

Yep.....ECBP is goes well with any day of the year. I like 'em all.

[DBM]

I was at the store today contemplating if I should purchase yet another bottle of ECBP when it struck me that the color isn't the dark, root beer looking liquid that I (and others) was impressed with on the batch 1. The bottle on the shelf is batch 5, so I took it home to compare with my other bottles. I am fortunate to have a bottle from every batch of ECBP except #2 and decided to line them up today to see if there is any difference in color. Sure enough, batch 1 is exactly what I remember, an exceptionally deep, dark brown. Batch 3 is similar but a little lighter with some burgundy tinting. Batch 4 is where it really lightens up to a more typical reddish-brown, and batch 5 is even a bit lighter. I compared batch 5 with a standard EC12 and could barely see a difference in the color tint.

I haven't noticed drastic differences in the flavor between batches, but it does make me wonder if there was a change in the average age of the barrels as subsequent batches were released, or how the bourbon was handled or processed after being dumped.

[bin31z]

I've had batch 1, 4 and 5. Haven't noticed a big difference in color, still looks like coca cola to me.

I was at the store today contemplating if I should purchase yet another bottle of ECBP when it struck me that the color isn't the dark, root beer looking liquid that I (and others) was impressed with on the batch 1. The bottle on the shelf is batch 5, so I took it home to compare with my other bottles. I am fortunate to have a bottle from every batch of ECBP except #2 and decided to line them up today to see if there is any difference in color. Sure enough, batch 1 is exactly what I remember, an exceptionally deep, dark brown. Batch 3 is similar but a little lighter with some burgundy tinting. Batch 4 is where it really lightens up to a more typical reddish-brown, and batch 5 is even a bit lighter. I compared batch 5 with a standard EC12 and could barely see a difference in the color tint.

I haven't noticed drastic differences in the flavor between batches, but it does make me wonder if there was a change in the average age of the barrels as subsequent batches were released, or how the bourbon was handled or processed after being dumped.

[bicktrav]

I was at the store today contemplating if I should purchase yet another bottle of ECBP when it struck me that the color isn't the dark, root beer looking liquid that I (and others) was impressed with on the batch 1. The bottle on the shelf is batch 5, so I took it home to compare with my other bottles. I am fortunate to have a bottle from every batch of ECBP except #2 and decided to line them up today to see if there is any difference in color. Sure enough, batch 1 is exactly what I remember, an exceptionally deep, dark brown. Batch 3 is similar but a little lighter with some burgundy tinting. Batch 4 is where it really lightens up to a more typical reddish-brown, and batch 5 is even a bit lighter. I compared batch 5 with a standard EC12 and could barely see a difference in the color tint.

I haven't noticed drastic differences in the flavor between batches, but it does make me wonder if there was a change in the average age of the barrels as subsequent batches were released, or how the bourbon was handled or processed after being dumped.

I've got batch 4 and think it's unbelievable, so even if it's lighter relative to earlier batches I don't really mind. Question though: I thought ECBP was all 12 year EC at barrel proof. I guess I hadn't considered the possibility that it could be any age since there's no age statement. Has Heaven Hill ever released any age info about ECBP?

[Phil T]

I've got batch 4 and think it's unbelievable, so even if it's lighter relative to earlier batches I don't really mind. Question though: I thought ECBP was all 12 year EC at barrel proof. I guess I hadn't considered the possibility that it could be any age since there's no age statement. Has Heaven Hill ever released any age info about ECBP?

There is a 12 year age statement on the back label..:grin:

[bin31z]

Yep...don't forget to read the fine print...its not all marketing baloney!

There is a 12 year age statement on the back label..:grin:

[bicktrav]

Nice! So assuming they are keeping that age statement then any color differences wouldn't be due to skimping on the aging (unless the earlier batches contained older whiskey than the statement indicates).

[DEelfinn]

Definitely found these to be very elusive. I only obtained my 2 bottles by persistence with multiple stores and keeping my eyes peeled.

[scubadoo97]

Nonexistent in my neck of the woods

[bicktrav]

Nonexistent under $100 where I am.

[HP12]

I was at the store today contemplating if I should purchase yet another bottle of ECBP when it struck me that the color isn't the dark, root beer looking liquid that I (and others) was impressed with on the batch 1. The bottle on the shelf is batch 5, so I took it home to compare with my other bottles. I am fortunate to have a bottle from every batch of ECBP except #2 and decided to line them up today to see if there is any difference in color. Sure enough, batch 1 is exactly what I remember, an exceptionally deep, dark brown. Batch 3 is similar but a little lighter with some burgundy tinting. Batch 4 is where it really lightens up to a more typical reddish-brown, and batch 5 is even a bit lighter. I compared batch 5 with a standard EC12 and could barely see a difference in the color tint.

I haven't noticed drastic differences in the flavor between batches, but it does make me wonder if there was a change in the average age of the barrels as subsequent batches were released, or how the bourbon was handled or processed after being dumped.

I've had batch 1, 4 and 5. Haven't noticed a big difference in color, still looks like coca cola to me.

I've got batch 4 and think it's unbelievable, so even if it's lighter relative to earlier batches I don't really mind. Question though: I thought ECBP was all 12 year EC at barrel proof. I guess I hadn't considered the possibility that it could be any age since there's no age statement. Has Heaven Hill ever released any age info about ECBP?

As another member pointed out, it is 12 yo and stated on the back label.

Nice! So assuming they are keeping that age statement then any color differences wouldn't be due to skimping on the aging (unless the earlier batches contained older whiskey than the statement indicates).

12 yo is the youngest age in the bottle. I suspect that the first few batches may have had older barrels than 12 yo added and barrels from higher floors in the rickhouse.

[OldKentucky]

When is the last time one of my fellow Kentuckians have seen this on the shelf? Excluding the gift shop.