BOTM 8/15: Elijah Craig 12 year old

[BigBoldBully]

EC12 holds a special place for me, as it was the first bourbon I took home with me once I decided on a whim to get back into bourbon and to get more adventurous this time around. (Previously had only had JBW, old school Weller, and rare breed, that I can recall, and only drank them "casually."). I was already in the liquor store looking for something else and tried to select a promising bourbon based on labels alone. Appreciated the age statement and distillery information that came with the EC12, and at $19 it did not seem badly priced. It was a bit too woody and dry for me, but seemed like a great bourbon for adding flavor to mellower whiskies. That is how I used it for quite a while, but more recently I came to appreciate EC12-the standard version, as I have only ever noticed one private selection-on its own. This is of course a bad sign as it keeps getting harder to drink younger or milder stuff without feeling something is missing.

Main reason I wanted to post in this thread, though, is that I have not seen anyone discussing what are apparently newly fangled corks for the bottles with the new label (age statement on back). Whereas the corks have normally looked natural to me, these new ones (which I have only scrutinized through the clear glass) look like some sort of composite monstrosity. Wondering which will end up being more reliable--the new ones gave me the impression they will be quite brittle, prompting me to stock up even more on the older style. (Would probably rather they just went to some sort of nice screw caps.)

[TunnelTiger]

Haven't even seen a new label yet (guess there aren't many EC12 lovers in my area) but will be on the lookout for this and comment as soon as I can.

[ReadyAndAbe]

"Just not in my wheelhouse for whatever reason."

I saw that in the very first post and totally agree. I get why it is liked. It does a nice job of what it is, but it's just not what I want to enjoy. I guess it is too tannic for me. I had a younger relative of it recently, Henry McKenna 10 Year SB BiB, and enjoyed that more than EC12.

Now ECBP, on the other hand. Wowzers!

[jackthedog]

One of my favorite bourbons. It was the first bourbon I tried when I got into it and thought it was overpowering, even on ice. Now it's my go to favorite and for the price, can't be beat.

I'd love to track down a store select but I'm not holding my breath in my area.

[fozzy71]

I had a pour the other night, so good. I mixed up another 200ml 50/50 with Larceny earlier today that I might have to sample thanks to this thread getting bumped.

[meadeweber]

Thought I'd chime in before the month ends. This is a "mature" bourbon at a great price. First off, I love the color. It's a deep, beautiful shade of brown. The nose may be one of it's best attributes. The taste is solid, although I much prefer the BP. All in all, a great bourbon for the price. I have not tried any of the older iterations but would like to.

[dmarkle]

Seriously. One of the great accessible bourbons out there. Better than so many in price AND availability. Good on HH for keeping it that way during the recent manias.

I prefer the 12 to any older expression. More years beyond 12, to me, exposes way too much eucalyptus/camphor type woodiness, which I find intensely disagreeable and the hallmark of an over-aged whiskey.

But enough negativity, and a toast to one of the great classics.

[flahute]

Seriously. One of the great accessible bourbons out there. Better than so many in price AND availability. Good on HH for keeping it that way during the recent manias.

I prefer the 12 to any older expression. More years beyond 12, to me, exposes way too much eucalyptus/camphor type woodiness, which I find intensely disagreeable and the hallmark of an over-aged whiskey.

But enough negativity, and a toast to one of the great classics.

Agreed! The 12 year expression is perhaps in my top three regularly available bourbons. The 21 year, however, was darn near undrinkable to me. I can't even imagine what the 23 tastes like. I'm guessing the 18 yr they're getting ready to re-release will also be too woody for me.

[TunnelTiger]

Agreed! The 12 year expression is perhaps in my top three regularly available bourbons. The 21 year, however, was darn near undrinkable to me. I can't even imagine what the 23 tastes like. I'm guessing the 18 yr they're getting ready to re-release will also be too woody for me.

[rcs86]

The first time I bought EC12 I didn't like it at all. I don't know if it was a bad batch or what, but I have bought it several times since and always enjoyed it. Glad I didn't go off my first impression!

[flahute]

Geez Steve I really like the 21 & 23. Maybe because I'm old and a lot of my taste buds have been destroyed eating Asian and Mexican dishes over the years. Or maybe oak is just my thing.

By the way the new label on the 750's has finally showed but the "man sized" bottles still have that 12 on the front.

That's a good problem to have TT! The 21 and 23 were the only LE's to actually hang around for more than two seconds last year. I passed on the 23 at least 3-4 times.

[Golzee]

Revisited EC12 last night, and now that I am about halfway through my first bottle I feel confident judging it. Although it is not my favorite bourbon, it is very good. My taste preferences lean towards 6-10 year old juice. I would gladly drink EC12 all day, everyday if I could get away with it, but, it is on the verge of being too oakiy IMO. Everything else is great about the bourbon, great smell, smooth as hell, good mix of rich flavors, and the price is right. I would like to try the barrel proof, but, if given the opportunity to buy the 18+ year expressions I will pass as they will most definitely be too woody for my taste. I think I will vat up some RR10yr and EC12, the sweetness of RR10yr might take away some of the in your face oak that I get from EC12. You can't really go wrong adding RR10yr to anything.

[Harry in WashDC]

Thanks for this BOTM, Joe. As I posted early on, it's been awhile. Picked one up today after a thorough search of my car trunk turned up doodly squat. I have a feeling my comments would look like Golzee's re: "oak" just above. Nevertheless, when I finish the dregs of an OF Signature, I'll check it out.

[OldDrinker1978]

Reminds me I need to get a new bottle of this! I've been enjoying the Barrel Proof quite a bit more and always had a kind of love/hate thing going with Elijah Craig 12. One some days its resiny, woody almost pine-like flavours are just great on other days I definitely prefer something more accessible I have to say. Still there have been nights I loved its complexity and robustness, so new bottle next month...[emoji1]

[unclebunk]

Grabbed a backup "old label" today for $27. You can't go wrong!

[kjbeggs]

I almost never buy 750's of EC12 anymore (unless there is a great sale price). It's such an easy drinker, and makes a decent cocktail, so I typically keep a handle or two on hand at all times.

[Golzee]

Closing in on finishing my first bottle of EC12, having a few fingers now, and I am wishing that it was a little sweeter. It is very oaky and earthy, I am not sure if I will replace it when it is finished. Tried it cut with a few drops of water and also with a Ice cube. I did like it on the rocks the most. I think I will throw the remnants of the bottle into the freezer, could sway my verdict.

[Pudsky]

This is a bottle I always have on hand. I love the heavy woody oak flavor, vanilla and cinnamon. It is a great change of pace from most of the other really sweet bourbons. Great flavor, and usually a good price.

[mibourbonguy]

I'm a month late, but just bought a bottle. Initial tasting has been enjoyable, and I look forward to spending some time with this one.

[weller_tex]

The bottles seem to be extremely variable. Some are thick, rich, and great, while many are thin and watery.

[Flyfish]

Last night I had EC12 followed by OGD. Should have been the other way around. The extra oak in the EC was messing with the OGD.

[Zeroghost]

Elijah 12 is an excellent, very under rated bourbon. Unfortunately they removed the 12 from the front label. Expect a slightly less aged whiskey for at least the near future. Will be interesting to see if they put a 10 on it or mention the age at all in the future. Have not had any from the new bottle interested in hearing any reviews.

[fozzy71]

Elijah 12 is an excellent, very under rated bourbon. Unfortunately they removed the 12 from the front label. Expect a slightly less aged whiskey for at least the near future. Will be interesting to see if they put a 10 on it or mention the age at all in the future. Have not had any from the new bottle interested in hearing any reviews.

it is still age stated, they moved the age statement to the back label

[flahute]

Elijah 12 is an excellent, very under rated bourbon. Unfortunately they removed the 12 from the front label. Expect a slightly less aged whiskey for at least the near future. Will be interesting to see if they put a 10 on it or mention the age at all in the future. Have not had any from the new bottle interested in hearing any reviews.

Not sure where you heard that or why you think that, but as fozzy said, read the back label. It's still there, and it's still 12 years old.

[Zeroghost]

It is on the back now. I fear it will not be for long. They might have taken it off the front first to get us warmed up to a younger version.