Elijah Craig 2024 PGA Championship Edition Review
Share with Elijah Craig fans, golfing buddies, and Scottie Scheffler, who could probably use a pour or four right about now.
Share with Elijah Craig fans, golfing buddies, and Scottie Scheffler, who could probably use a pour or four right about now.
The aroma is warm, with savory notes of saddle leather, oak, dark caramel, and brown butter. The palate shows a bit more sweetness than the nose, but things still skew more toward the wood and spice corners of the flavor wheel.
Upon arrival, the proofs of those 32 barrels were 125. Near that modest body of water and behind the rickhouse’s brick walls, they’ve steadily lost proof down to 108, which is pure magic in whiskey aging.
The fact that they’ve brought this to market at just under $70 should be a warning shot to others in the industry who have insisted that a quality sourced and blended product has to command a price point over $100.
When Heaven Hill added Bernheim Wheat Whiskey to its barrel-proof portfolio early last year, it filled a big market hole. Wheat whiskeys at any proof are rare, but this barrel-proof offering is the only one from a major brand like it.
The nose on this latest release is expressive and elegant, burly initially with damp oak and cigar box notes that quickly sweeten to cream soda, buttery cinnamon apples, and Little Debbie Oatmeal Pies.
Many of us are haunted by that one alcohol we had a terrible evening with years back. For me, it’s tequila. I do enjoy a Margarita, but beyond that, I can’t stomach the agave liquor.
A quick small of this whiskey, and there’s no question about how it was finished. The nose is stuffed full of juicy apples. The Calvados barrel influence is big and bold without overdoing things. The juicy apple is mixed with brown sugar, caramel, and oak, resulting in a well-based aroma…
The blend of high rye and single malt whiskey yields a mild burnt sugar sweetness complemented by the toastiness of the malt. The finish leaves a delightful tingle, both from the proof and the high rye mashbill.
This is an entertaining pour that punches, ducks and dodges around the mouth, delivering sharp blows of spice to keep you on your toes.