Don't tell Heaven Hill... But this is a Steal!!
Written: Apr 27 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Great bourbon, great taste, great price
Cons: Maybe just a tiny bit too luscious, could use a little bite
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| beerfly's Full Review: Elijah Craig Bourbon 12 Year |
If you work for Heaven Hill, please, don't read this. Just hit the Back button and go read something else. No, really, Elijah Craig 12 Year Old's great stuff, wonderful. Now go away.
Whew! Now that he's gone, I can tell the rest of you the secret: this has got to be one of the best bourbon bargains on the market. Given that bourbon is almost a giveaway anyway, with great whiskies for under $20 unfortunately common, this one's outstanding.
Heaven Hill may be best known for their Evan Williams brands, including the stellar Evan Williams vintage bottlings, but this little beauty steals the show for me. Until Buffalo Trace came out recently, I'd have called this the juiciest, honey-sweet, downright drinkingest bourbon around for people who like a luscious, richly flavorful bourbon, and it's still one of the two best--a lot easier to find, too.
Elijah Craig 12YO, in its retro, squat bottle with the big clunky top, is good red likker. It smells honey-corn sweet, yet with a depth to it that belies the sweetness. Vanilla, a hint of brown sugar, and just a nip of oak dryness all float in the inch or so over the amber surface.
Dive in, though, don't spend too much time sniffing, because this is a delicious whiskey. It's plenty smooth enough to drink neat and hand-warmed, and plenty big enough to take care of itself in the company of ice or branch water. You'll get that big honey wash with plenty of vanilla and deep corn sweetness, a note of light molasses, and lots of long, vanilla finish with that nip of oak chasing it down your throat.
But the price! We're getting it for just under $13 in PA, and we're not noted as a cheap liquor state. Glory to God, boys, at that price you can buy a bottle for almost any occasion, buy a couple to have in the closet just in case someone has a baby or we win a war or a birthday comes up unexpected or something. I hope Heaven Hill never changes the price structure on this one, because I intend to drink a lot of it.
I will admit, I'm torn. The taste of EC 12YO is sublime and almost nourishing, and it makes me want to sit in an armchair with bottle and glass and chortle to myself over how wonderful life is for me. But the price... Well, I wind up calling friends over and breaking out the cards and passing the bottle around. Very friendly, Elijah Craig.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
beerfly
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Member: Lew Bryson
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Reviews written: 88
Trusted by: 79 members
About Me:
One bourbon, one Scotch, one beer, eh? I'll take Kentucky Spirit, Scapa, and HopDevil.
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