Elijah Craig 18 Year Old

[mythrenegade]

I went to the wine exchange to buy Wild Turkey 101 (not a big hit with me, although my subsequent tastings have been better than my first), and I picked up a bottle of Elijah Craig 18 year old. I really like this. Lots of oak, and a very complex flavor on the whole. It seems like a completely different league than other bourbons I have had. This is one of my favorites already on my first day. Good stuff! Price is good too, I paid $30.99...

Joel

[jeff]

Here are some tasting notes I did on this one a while back.

I have softened somewhat to this one since then and can now enjoy it just about anytime, but it is somewhat woody and can be a challenge for the uninitiated. Try it with a good cigar for an even better experience IMHO. :bandit:

[HighTower]

Even though I haven't yet had the opportunity to try the likes of Stagg or PVW or many other high quality bourbons, for what I have tried, I absolutely loved the Elijah 18, I'd go as far to say it's my favourite bourbon!

Price is good too, I paid $30.99...

I'm jealous!

[Nebraska]

The problem with starting with older bourbons is:

A. You are probably not going to really like them right off.

B. You're risking not going back to them or thinking you wasted your money.

That said, I'm not saying don't buy them. But make sure you try or more probably start your tasting journey with the lower and mid shelf offerings. Give your tastes time to develop.

I purchased a bottle of Stagg right away and sampled it. I thought it was horrible. I have not taken a drink from the bottle since. At the tasting competition, one of the offerings was a Stagg. I initially guessed correctly, but then changed my mind because I didn't think there was enough burn and although the flavors were what I remembered they were much stronger than what I remembered. It was Stagg, but when I initially tasted it many months ago, I was not ready for it.

[Nebraska]

Or...then again I could re-read the beginning post of your thread and see that you really enjoyed it:blush:

I too really liked the EC 18. Can't stand the EC 12, which I tried first, but like the EC18 which I tried about a month ago.

[mythrenegade]

Or...then again I could re-read the beginning post of your thread and see that you really enjoyed it:blush:

LOL

I poured this again last night (after pouring a glass of WT101). This bourbon really has a LOT to offer. I think I need to do a head to head with Eagle Rare 10 YO, as I think I have a new favorite bourbon.

Great stuff!

Joel

[Nebraska]

Hey Joel,

I was lucky enough to go to the Bourbon fest this year and made a point for the most part of buying bourbons that I had heard were great values.

VROHH 10yo

VOB 100 proof

AAA 10yo (not 10 star)

Man talk about bang for buck! I've had the chance to try all three of these and wow, what a bargain. Not sure if they are available to you in your neck of the woods or by mail order but they are DEFINATELY worth trying if you can get ahold of them.

[smokinjoe]

I went to the wine exchange to buy Wild Turkey 101 (not a big hit with me, although my subsequent tastings have been better than my first), and I picked up a bottle of Elijah Craig 18 year old. I really like this. Lots of oak, and a very complex flavor on the whole. It seems like a completely different league than other bourbons I have had. This is one of my favorites already on my first day. Good stuff! Price is good too, I paid $30.99...

Joel

I really like this bourbon too. There is something in the taste profile that I really like, and don't find in other HH products. Can't put my finger on it, but it's good. This being said, however, unlike the $30.99 you paid, I usually see it in the $35.00+ range. At that price point, I just have a tough time pulling the trigger on it. But, it was one of the pours at the open bar at the Cigar, Bourbon, and Jazz event at the Festival...I had several....

JOE

[FlashPuppy]

This being said, however, unlike the $30.99 you paid, I usually see it in the $35.00+ range. At that price point, I just have a tough time pulling the trigger on it.

See, I have only found this at one place, and the price tag is around $52. I would really like to try this stuff, but I guess I am just gonna have to wait a while...

[clbrosch]

I just opened my first bottle of EC18 last night and was overwelmed with the taste to the point of thinking that something was wrong with the bottle. I has a very musty dirty smell and the taste almost aweful. It had an after taste that stayed in my mouth for hours and it was not pleasant at all. Not metalic but almost a medical aftertaste like a strong disinfectant like bleach or something like that.

I don't know if I am describing this right but I am begining to wonder if I got a bottle that was "skunked".

Anybody have some thoughts or advice?

just to give a referance point:

I like EC12 as well as numerous other Bourbons that I've had this year

Knob creek

Eagle Rare

VWSR

Evan William SB

Buffalo Trace

Elmer T Lee

Russell Reserve

Rare Breed

Maker's Mark

I have had at least one bottle of each of these this year and while I have not loved them all I have enjoyed them all.

This bottle of EC18 is seeming tainted to me.

thanks!

-Chris

[JDutton]

I just opened my first bottle of EC18 last night and was overwelmed with the taste to the point of thinking that something was wrong with the bottle. I has a very musty dirty smell and the taste almost aweful.

I tried EC18 for the first time a few weeks ago and had a similar reaction, but to me it seemed more like it had been infused with smoky charcoal. I just tried it again a couple of nights ago after I'd had a pour or two of other brands and there was still a strong charcoal/wood flavor, but it didn't seem so overwhelming. There are a lot of other flavors in it as well, and I was able to appreciate them more than the first time.

I wonder if it made a difference that my mouth had been "conditioned" by the previous drinks?

I believe Buffalo Trace and ERSB have a similar charcoal-like flavor, but it is much milder than the EC18.

Jeff

[mythrenegade]

I just opened my first bottle of EC18 last night and was overwelmed with the taste to the point of thinking that something was wrong with the bottle. I has a very musty dirty smell and the taste almost aweful. It had an after taste that stayed in my mouth for hours and it was not pleasant at all. Not metalic but almost a medical aftertaste like a strong disinfectant like bleach or something like that.

I don't know if I am describing this right but I am begining to wonder if I got a bottle that was "skunked".

Anybody have some thoughts or advice?

just to give a referance point:

I like EC12 as well as numerous other Bourbons that I've had this year

Knob creek

Eagle Rare

VWSR

Evan William SB

Buffalo Trace

Elmer T Lee

Russell Reserve

Rare Breed

Maker's Mark

I have had at least one bottle of each of these this year and while I have not loved them all I have enjoyed them all.

This bottle of EC18 is seeming tainted to me.

thanks!

-Chris

I'm guessing you are right (something very bad happened to your bottle). The closest flavor profile I've found to EC18 is Blantons. The two are very close, and both are very good.

Joel

[cowdery]

Based on the list you provided, Chris, it sounds like you just had your first experience with very old bourbon and it apparently does not agree with you. Your description, adjusted for the pejorative language, is about right. That's what bourbon tastes like after about 15 years in wood. The EC 12, based on its taste, could just as easily be 8 to 10 years old. I'm not doubting the label, just saying it probably comes from low, internal warehouse locations where the maturation is slow. In contrast, EC18 tastes like all of its 18 years and could just as well be 20 or 21 years old.

Age alone won't tell you how a whiskey will taste, but in my opinion EC18 is at the outer edge of how much maturity an American straight can stand without going over the edge. That said, the "edge" is different for different people. I like EC18 but as someone here used to say, "your results may vary."

In other words, I don't think it was skunked. You just don't like really old bourbon. You're not alone. Most of the Master Distillers would agree with you.

[luv2hunt]

The closest flavor profile I've found to EC18 is Blantons. The two are very close, and both are very good.

Joel

You're kidding, right? Does anyone else think Blantons and EC18 are close in taste?

Dawn

[BourbonJoe]

NO

Joe :usflag:

[jburlowski]

You're kidding, right? Does anyone else think Blantons and EC18 are close in taste?

Dawn

Only in the very slightest sense... in the dry finish.

FWIW, I've become somewhat of a fan of EC 18 of late. Unusual for me since I usually recoil at the rather high oakiness. But somehow it's hitting my pallette just right at the moment.

[wku88]

Based on the list you provided, Chris, it sounds like you just had your first experience with very old bourbon and it apparently does not agree with you.

In other words, I don't think it was skunked. You just don't like really old bourbon. You're not alone. Most of the Master Distillers would agree with you.

Once again, Chuck comes to the rescue!

I'm not a "uppity " kinda guy, but I often find Chucks more informed taste and qualified judgement parallels my seat of the pants opinion.

Mebbe America's spirit doesn't need extra-annuated maturity!

8 to 12 years in fresh charred oak is optimum IMHO. If it needs more time, the mash bill isn't right to begin with. YMMV:grin:

[clbrosch]

Based on the list you provided, Chris, it sounds like you just had your first experience with very old bourbon and it apparently does not agree with you. Your description, adjusted for the pejorative language, is about right. That's what bourbon tastes like after about 15 years in wood. The EC 12, based on its taste, could just as easily be 8 to 10 years old. I'm not doubting the label, just saying it probably comes from low, internal warehouse locations where the maturation is slow. In contrast, EC18 tastes like all of its 18 years and could just as well be 20 or 21 years old.

Age alone won't tell you how a whiskey will taste, but in my opinion EC18 is at the outer edge of how much maturity an American straight can stand without going over the edge. That said, the "edge" is different for different people. I like EC18 but as someone here used to say, "your results may vary."

In other words, I don't think it was skunked. You just don't like really old bourbon. You're not alone. Most of the Master Distillers would agree with you.

Thanks Chuck! :bowdown:

I have been afraid to sample this bottle again but I think I will give it another chance after reading your answer. Maybe after a sample of something else first to prepare my palette.

I have smelled this bottle a few times more and the smell is OK . I think I was over reacting a bit at first.

I would equate this to cigars. I don't think a peson new to smoking cigars would enjoy a Super Full bodied Strong smoke at first try. But after a few years of devolping a taste for Full bodied cigars they might enjoy one.

I have wet my whistle again with the EC18 and while VERY OAKy and extremely full-bodied the "Medical " taste I experienced was not there.

Maybe I was expecting somthing smooth and mellow but found something a bit Harsh and strong.

Thanks for all you help and replies. I will keep this bottle and try again a few more times before I rush to judgement with it!

[mythrenegade]

You're kidding, right? Does anyone else think Blantons and EC18 are close in taste?

Dawn

Well,

I'm not kidding, but I don't own Blantons, and the only time I've tried it side by side was at the end of a six bourbon tasting. I really liked both, and had difficulty deciding which was my favorite. I guess I'm blending how much I like something with how similar they taste. I like very strong bold flavors and found both of these bourbons delivered in spades. Dang, enough talk. I'm going to pour some EC18...

Joel

[T47]

I first tried EC 18 back in March. I found the flavor quite woody, and very different from other Bourbons I had tried. Not unpleasant, just not one I really enjoyed as much. So between March and Nov. I had tried quite a few more bottles. I recently revisited the EC 18 and it seemed mellower to me. I think it is do more to my expanded palate than mellowing after initial opening. I found it much more delicate this time around, still with the wood flavor, but maybe more subtle than I recall.

I am glad I did not part with the bottle, I have several friends who count it among their favorite.