A Tale of Two Labels

From the Heaven Hill Distilleries, comes the limited edition Elijah Craig Barrel Proof.  This small limited release bourbon is a "cask" strength and came in 129.7 proof, 137, and 133.2 proof.  When I say comes in three proofs, does not mean you get to choose which one you want.  In fact, when they first bottled this limited release and since it was in a "small batch", it was bottled at 129.7 proof.  The next batch came at 137 and the latest is at 133.2 proof. The most recent batch, Heaven Hill changed the labeling.  Unlike the first two batches which shares the same label as it's sister bourbon Elijah Craig Small Batch at  94 proof.  So for those looking around, keep an eye on the proof, one might be hiding in the regular 94 proof bottles.


Price point: $45 to $60 retail. 

Collectors Market: Around $150


Per Heaven Hill:
Tasting Notes:
Color: Deep Amber
Aroma: Caramel with oak, fruit notes of apple and orange
Taste: Caramel, vanilla and butterscotch along with spices of black pepper and cinnamon in the back of the palate
Finish:  Nice layered finish of all flavors, fades slowly with a hint of cool spearmint

My Take:
Tasting Notes:
Color: Deep Amber
Aroma: Rich caramel with oak of course, Not over powering like some Cask or Barrel Proof Bourbons.
Taste: Hazel with a strong oak Caramel and a slight hint of vanilla.  The spices of black pepper are notably strong.    
Finish:  Strong finish, sure to keep you warm in the winter.

Gone But Lives On

One of my top bourbons that I have always kept in my cabinet is a good single barrel of Elmer T. Lee.  For those who are not familiar with this brand, Elmer T. Lee was the Master Distiller of  Buffalo Trace.  He was a WWII vet, an engineer and an amazing man.  I had the prvillege to meet him myself once and recently spoke with an individual from the Blanton's line of how great a man he was. 
In the early 80's he was honored by the company and given his own single-barrel namesake.  In 2001 he was inducted in the Kentucky Hall of Fame, his receipt of the "Lifetime Achievement Aware" from both Whiskey Advocate in 2002 and Whiskey Magazine in 2012.  Recently this past year, Elmer T. Lee passed away, just weeks before his 94th birthday.  Up till his passing, he was known to still be at the distillery a few times a week, checking in on his batch and the Blanton's batch.  He also greeted those who came to visit.   Many people in the bourbon community has wondered what Buffalo Trace will do to honor this man, and just like like rumors that go with the bourbon industry, I've heard everything from multiple companies putting a batch together, to special bottles, and even not making the batch anymore. But with my recent find, they will be producing a new label and this batch will be at 93 proof.  So, bourbon lovers keep an eye out and have a glass for Elmer T. Lee when it arrives on the shelves.

Day 1

Greeting Everyone!

Today is day one, and what that means is the first day of Thefourbarrels blog.  This blog was created to follow, review, news, and discover all of what the bourbon culture has.  I look forward to seeing what will come of this and see how the blog and all things connected grows.  If you have a passion towards bourbon and all things bourbon related, please follow me, I think you will enjoy!