Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel is a rich, bold take on the Elijah Craig profilebringing extra layers of oak, toast, sweet char, and spice. It stands out by taking their fully-matured Small Batch bourbon and finishing it in a specially toasted (and lightly charred) new oak barrel to bring out deeper sweetness and more complexity. Its not for someone who prefers subtlety over oak intensity, but for those who like their bourbon with more wood flavor, toasted oak character, and a warming finish, this is a strong, flavorful option.

Origins & Craftsmanship

• Produced by Heaven Hill Distilleries, under the Elijah Craig brand in Kentucky.

• Built on the Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon base: the bourbon is fully matured in traditional charred new oak barrels first.

• After full maturation, it is re-barreled into a second, custom toasted new oak barrel, designed in partnership with a cooperage (Independent Stave Company), with a specific toast profile plus a flash char to maximize sweet oak compounds without overshadowing the bourbons signature fruit and spice.

• Proof / Bottling: 94 proof (47% ABV)

• Age: No specific age statement (NAS).

Tasting Profile

Element Notes Colour / Appearance Rich amber / roasted pecan tones. Deep golden with the glow of toasted oak. Nose / Aroma Sweet and inviting: caramel, rich caramelized sugar, toasted oak, vanilla. Also baked goods, brown sugar, and baking spices. Slight roast / char in the background, a bit of molasses. Palate / Taste Big sweetness up front: brown sugar, molasses, milk chocolate. Then oak spice (pepper, baking spice like nutmeg or cinnamon), toasted wood, a little smoke/char. Fruit notes: dark cherry, peach, maybe raisin or dried fruit behind the sweetness. Finish Long and warming. Lingering toasted oak, chocolate, baking spices. Some dried orange peel / citrus brightness may pop up, plus a peppery heat. A slight dryness/tannic edge from the wood, but not overwhelmingly bitter.

Food & Cocktail Pairings

• Cocktail / Serving Suggestions

  • Neat, or with a large ice cube, to appreciate the toasted oak and charred wood notes.

  • A richer Old Fashioned (use less sugar, maybe a dash of smoked bitters) to let the toasted barrel flavor come through.

  • Perhaps even a smoky twist: bourbon plus a burnt sugar garnish or smoked wood chip aroma to echo its char.

• Food Pairings

  • Chocolate & Desserts: Dark chocolate, chocolate with orange or chili; crme brle; caramel flan. Sweet desserts with burnt sugar, toasted nuts.

  • Meats: Smoky barbecue or grilled meats, roasted pork, or beef with charoak and char in the bourbon enhance and echo those flavors.

  • Cheese & Nuts: Toasted nuts (pecan, walnut), creamy cheeses, maybe aged gouda or sharp cheddar that can stand up to oak and spice.

  • Fruit & Dried Fruit: Cherry compote, baked apples, dried figs or raisins to bring out fruit notes.

  • Warm Spiced Foods: Dishes with cinnamon, nutmeg, clovessomething autumnal or dessertlike but with weight so the bourbon and food match.

Quick Overview

Feature Detail Name Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel Distillery / Region Elijah Craig / Heaven Hill, Kentucky, USA Base Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon (fully matured) Finish Secondary finishing in custom new oak toasted + flash char barrel Proof / ABV 94 proof (47% ABV) Age Statement NAS Style / Character Sweet oak, toasted and charred sweetness, baking spices, fruit behind the wood, with warmth and depth Strengths / Appeal For those who love oaky bourbons but want a more layered, toasted finish rather than just heavy char or spice