Named for the man often credited with first aging bourbon in charred oak barrels, Elijah Craig is a small-batch Kentucky straight bourbon that punches well above its price. We keep it on the shelf at Camp West in West Seattle because it is a benchmark pour, rich, well-aged, and endlessly drinkable at our cabin-inspired bar in the Junction.
About the Distillery
Elijah Craig is produced by Heaven Hill, the family-owned distiller headquartered in Bardstown, Kentucky, with distillation at the Bernheim Distillery in Louisville. The brand honors Rev. Elijah Craig, a Baptist minister and bourbon pioneer long associated with the practice of aging whiskey in charred oak barrels. Heaven Hill is one of the largest independent, family-owned producers of American whiskey.
Style & Mash Bill
This small-batch Kentucky straight bourbon is bottled at 94 proof (47% ABV) and drawn from a marriage of roughly 200 barrels per batch, typically aged in the 8-to-12-year range. It uses Heaven Hill’s standard bourbon mash bill of 78% corn, 10% rye, and 12% malted barley, matured in level-3 charred oak barrels.
Tasting Notes
Expect a warm, oak-forward profile with vanilla, caramel, and toasted nuts, accented by gentle baking spice and a hint of smoke from the charred barrel. The palate is full and rounded, finishing with sweet oak and a satisfying depth that reflects its years of aging.
How to Enjoy It at Camp West
At $10 a pour, Elijah Craig is a versatile workhorse. It shines neat, holds up beautifully over a rock, and makes one of the better Old Fashioneds on the menu thanks to its oaky backbone. Ask your bartender for their recommendation.
FAQ
How old is Elijah Craig Small Batch? It carries no formal age statement, but the small-batch bottling is generally aged in the 8-to-12-year range.
Who was Elijah Craig? A Baptist minister and Kentucky distiller widely credited in bourbon lore as the first to age whiskey in charred oak barrels.
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