Spirit of the Month!! - September 2010 - Elijah Craig 12 year old Small Batch Bourbon

Elijah Craig (b. 1740-ish, d. 1808) was a Baptist minister and pioneer that migrated to Kentucky from Virginia following the American Revolution. He is often credited as being the inventor of Bourbon even though he never distilled whiskey in what is now Bourbon County. Perhaps this distinction is due to another credit he is widely given; to be the first distiller to utilize charred casks for aging. In addition to his knowledge of the Good Book and a expertise with a still, he was a town founder, entrepreneur, and educator. An all around good guy from the sound of it.


But, enough with the history and on to the hooch. The small batch whiskey that Heaven Hill labels in Rev. Craig's honor is the one that successfully brought me over to American whiskey from Scotch. Elijah Craig 12 is a reasonably priced and very enjoyable bourbon. Here are some comments from a few gentleman that seem to know what they are talking about:

"About as compete as bourbon aroma as you are likely to find…one of the most beautiful noses found anywhere in the world today. A bourbon to keep in the mouth forever… Toffee apples and malt rise above the gentle oaky notes and there is a very late arrival of burnt sugar and rye. The very final notes are extremely complex… near perfection. Perhaps one of my favourite five or six bourbons and certainly the superstar in the Heaven Hill portfolio. It is a bourbon of almost unfathomable depth and has something for everyone. Brilliant."

Jim Murray
Classic Bourbon, Tennessee, & Rye Whiskey

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"Rich, with balanced woody notes, spice, smoke and some nutmeg. Chewy, fruity palate and great length. A rating of four stars."

Dave Broom
Handbook of Whisky

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"Nose: Real bourbon vanilla, with a touch of candy-store sweetness. Palate: Firm, malty, sweet. Some malty fruitiness (apricot?). A suggestion of cilantro. Finish: Licorice. Rooty. Comments: Less structured than might be expected in a 12-year-old, but a perilously drinkable, appetizing bourbon. Rating 7 ¾"

Michael Jackson
Whisky Magazine

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There is a good chance that a bottle of this already resides in your collection. If not, a twenty dollar bill and a few ones should get you out the door with a fifth. Drink up, contemplate, and by all means share your thoughts, experiences, and opinions below as we bid summer farewell and usher in fall with this month's selection.
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