EC12 or ECSmB

[smokinjoe]

Steve (Flahute) made an observation today that has been staring us in the face for some time, and has not been officially recognized : Should we now strive to use Elijah Craig Small Batch and ECSmB as the "Official SB" identifiers for what has been known as Elijah Craig 12 and EC12?  Of course, this is not saying that it is no longer "age stated" at 12 yo, but rather the name has  indeed changed.  As I am working now on an updated abbreviations list for SB, the timing here is good!

Reasonable arguments for either, so let's vett it out.  Please state your preference here!  Name with most votes will be adopted, and those refusing to use it afterwards will be flogged then shunned...

 

[Harry in WashDC]

I haven't seen the new label, I don't think, but then I only look for the "12", so maybe I just missed it; and since I don't usually buy it (as 12 years in EC is a little old for my taste, but that's just me), switching the abbreviation now would help me, personally, keep an eye out so I can tell people who like it where I saw it.   About the time I remember to use the new abbreviation, the old labels will have disappeared, anyway.

Edited January 12, 2016 by Harry in WashDC
remove an "anyway"

[Auracom]

For me, it's "EC12" until that back label officially no longer includes "12 years". And once that happens, I probably won't need to use "ECSmB" because I will neither be buying nor drinking it.

There's a much longer rant backing this position up but it's not worth the effort (and you all could guess and/or agree with it). 

[jeffrey r]

If I am referring to what is currently on the market, then I would endorse a change of moniker to Small Batch. That is what HH is calling it on their website, and there is no longer a mention of a 12 year age statement on their website, as contrasted with HMcK BIB and ECBP, which do in fact describe their respective ages. 

If I am referring to what I have in stock at my house, then I will call it EC12, as I have several EC12's bunkered, which happen to be single barrels. 

Bottom line, I would vote for a move to ECSmB for the current release, while maintaining EC12 for the prior releases. 

[Harry in WashDC]

Jeff has a Solomon-like suggestion if I ever seen one.  It sure help us old fahts who can't make up our minds.

[MTNBourbon]

I will also for now I guess call it EC12, all my bottles say that, plus Old Small Batch and 94 Proof.

[starhopper]

I vote to keep it EC12 until it the 12 years statement is completely removed from the labeling.

[flahute]

I'd vote for Small Batch if that's what you have in front of you, or, EC12 if you still have a red 12 label. Maybe that's too confusing though. I can see the case for either. Maybe it's good to keep it at EC12 in recognition of the age (for now at least). If they ever remove the age statement, then you make the change. 

Sorry for the roundabout thought. 

[Paddy]

If the age statement drops, how about EC? 

Isn't that normally what we do if there is no SB and/or Smb (to differentiate from one another)? 

For now, I'll stick with EC12 and you can call me Jake! 

Edited January 13, 2016 by Paddy
felt like I needed to add an emoticon.

[Golzee]

EC or ECSmB if the age statement drops.  Until then, I say stick with EC12, ECSmB already confused me once.

[dcbt]

EC12 as long as it's 12yo. If it becomes NAS while the others keep their ages statements (EC18 eg), then the NAS becomes EC.

To me, calling something SmB implies there is another choice within the same line so it needs to be differentiated. That isn't the case here (like it is with FR, eg.)

[smokinjoe]

Very nice responses, offering plenty to think about.   Thinking out loud, now.  If we continue to call it EC12, are we saying that there is no reason to differentiate between the label change, in general?  Or, even consider the label change in discussion?  For example, there have been other label changes with this brand over the years with no real implications.  

[Paddy]

5 minutes ago, smokinjoe said:

Very nice responses, offering plenty to think about.   Thinking out loud, now.  If we continue to call it EC12, are we saying that there is no reason to differentiate between the label change, in general?  Or, even consider the label change in discussion?  For example, there have been other label changes with this brand over the years with no real implications.  

If we changed designations as much as brands change labels, none of us would know what the hell we were drinking (let enough know what the hell we're talking about)!   

[Harry in WashDC]

Yes, there have been label changes like this one.  ER with a neckband "10 year" changed to stars with 10 year on the back, and we call it ER but don't seem to distinguish it from the neck-label age stated.  AA 10 year became "AA 10Star" I think (haven't had a lot of it so . . .) and other than the dusty threads nobody frets.  And, one of my faves - VOB bonded "6 year" became VOB bonded "6".  With all these, until I taste a difference, I likely won't draw a distinction between the old and the new - unless the specific discussion dictates it.  EXAMPLE: What's the textual difference between OWA paper and OWA plastic?

In sum, I likely would use "EC" or "ECSmB" or "EC12" to refer to EC regardless of the label in front of me until I taste a difference.  BUT, I have no problem having a "preferred" abbreviation like "EC" or even "Baby EC" as long as I don't get booted for slipping when drinking. EDIT - like tonight.

Edited January 13, 2016 by Harry in WashDC
WT101 is to blame for my typos.

[DonutsNBourbon]

I think either is acceptable, but I'd vote for EC12 since it's easier to type than ECSmB, but that's just me...  at least until it goes NAS.

[b1gcountry]

I  vote for sticking with EC12, and going with EC if the age statement drops.

[smokinjoe]

1 hour ago, Paddy said:

If we changed designations as much as brands change labels, none of us would know what the hell we were drinking (let enough know what the hell we're talking about)!   

Ha!  I agree with you, Paddy.  But this is quite a large change, no?  Removing an important and visible descriptor from the front (big red 12), and replacing with some nomenclature that the producer wants to stress instead of the 12 (small batch).   

I've not checked myself, but Jeffrey reports that HH refers to it as Small Batch on their website.  I would think that would carry some weight, here?

[Paddy]

Hey Joe, Remember when this site 'lost its mind' over the VOB 6 age statement drop?  We went down with a fight, but still went down. 

IMO HH will do whatever they please to mitigate the possible loss of the age statement as well as keep product on the shelves, but I'll still reserve the right to raise a little hell when//if they drop the age statement! 

I mean, we're talking about an iconic brand here.  And for those who may not yet realize the irony, it's always been a small batch... marketed as the first true small batch whiskey... even older than the moniker itself.

So, if you work for HH and happen to be reading this thread, if you start bottling whiskey younger than 12 year old, I'll never buy another bottle of EC12Smb ever again. 

Now where's that damn handle of VOB 6?

[Harry in WashDC]

1 hour ago, Paddy said:

. . .

Now where's that damn handle of VOB 6?

In the trunk of my car with several of its twins.  And, I'm getting comfortable with EC12 and EC over ECSmB at least until HH starts releasing an EC version OTHER than 12/SmB and 18.  But then, I don't drink it a lot so ignore me if you want.

[Spade]

I agree with the idea of calling it either EC12 unless they do eventually drop the age statement. And then, EC makes more sense to me over ECSmB. I think EC, ECBP, and EC18 are different enough to avoid confusion without explicitly adding the "SmB." My two cents.

[dSculptor]

I say keep it EC12... it's always been that and still is today, if and when they drop the age statement, then we can think about changing it, and then I would like to see it just EC. I also agree with Paddy, if they ever drop the age statement I may not ever buy a bottle again....

....maybe.

[jeffrey r]

I've come around on the common response to just keep it at EC12 for the time being.  For reference, here is the link to HH's site and HH's Bardstown Whiskey Society site, referring to it as Small Batch.

http://heavenhill.com/brand/16

http://www.bardstownwhiskeysociety.com/brands/elijah-craig-small-batch.php

[kcgumbohead]

My vote is EC12 for several of the reasons already stated.  

[b1gcountry]

I think I would like the chance to try EC at something less than 12 years. It just doesn't do much for me with the amount of oakiness it has. I might be the minority, but a little less age would suit me fine...

[Charlutz]

EC12 unless the age statement disappears. At that time, use EC12 only when referring to bottles with the age statement. I'd prefer to use EC for NAS bottles, but that may be confusing if we still have EC12 floating around, especially for people joining the forum after that happens and not used to using EC12 routinely.  Reluctantly, ECSmB, and the extended time it takes to type it, may be the most clear way to identify what you mean when that day comes.