And the Valley Drinks: Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon

Part of the idea behind this series was to flex my drinking muscles a bit and try some new things, so the other day while enjoying an after-work drink with my buddy over at Parrain's, I decided to give Elijah Craig's Small Batch bourbon a swig.

It's a mid-priced bourbon, in the upper end of the $20-$30 range, produced by the Bardstown Whiskey Society, who bottle, among others, Evan Williams' Single Barrel. It's a small-batch whiskey, aged 12 years.

Bottled exclusively from a dumping of 100 barrels or less, the brand carries the name of the Rev. Elijah Craig, the man who discovered the method of making true Kentucky Bourbon when he stored his wares in barrels that had been charred in a fire.

Review

The first thing that jumps out at you with this one is the bouquet. Just a classic bourbon smell, heavy on the charred oak of the barrel. But it surprises you with a very light taste to start, not quite watery, but not overpowering either. Slowly, the dark sugars of the barrel slide in, a hint of vanilla that gives it just enough sweetness to balance the rich, dark, roasted flavor of said barrel. It's also a very smooth drink, without much of a burn. All-in-all, a smooth, tasty sippin' bourbon. Light enough for these warm-weather months as well. Strong 4 out of five stars, especially for the price.