Elijah Craig 12 Year Old Barrel Proof Bourbon Whiskey (700ml) - Batch A120

"Arguably the best Barrel Proof release to date". - drinkhacker.com

Fans of full-proof, super-charged Kentucky styles will be keen to get their hands on this. Although there's too little to justify opening a bottle to review, Batch A120 is by several reports a phenomenal follow up to the acclaimed A119, but even more skewed towards palates that can handle the heat. If you loved A119 and agree it's is the way Bourbon ought to be bottled, you'll find this batch equally satisfying. The proof is marginally higher again. The critics are also closely aligned (it gets the same 94 point rating as A119 from whiskyadvocate, which is most people's 96+).

Made from a mash bill of 78% corn, 12% malted barley and 10% rye and designed to showcase the variety and complexity of Heaven Hill's finest stocks, for those new to the Barrel Proof series, three batches have been offered every year since 2013. Each is identified with a code in the form XMYY, where X is A, B, or C to designate the first, second, and third batches, respectively. M is the month and YY is the year. Thus, A120 was the first batch of 2020 released in January. As always, uncut, straight from the barrel, non-chill filtered and hoarded by collectors, the quantities imported remain negligible. There's no guarantee on future shipments. Winners will be need to be quick on the draw. Limited to one bottle per customer. 68.3% Alc./Vol.

Other reviews... An herbal nose featuring menthol, eucalyptus, and horehound is endowed with plenty of earthy oak, evoking sawmill, empty wine casks, and dusty floorboards. Generous oak courses through the palate, the drying tannins reining in the dense sweetness as the whiskey brandishes bold spices, including allspice, pepper, and clove. Water gives this bourbon much needed room to run, revealing greater polish and rich layers of flavor. 94 points - whiskyadvocate.com - reviewed by: Jeffery Lindenmuth 2020

...Spoiler alert: A120 is going to be one of the more coveted expressions in this collection. While some of the ECBP releases can sometimes be overwhelming on the wood front, A120 finds a unique sense of balance. On the nose, there’s plenty of (at over 68% abv) heat here, but it masks a note of fresh-cut lumber that pairs deftly with spearmint, cherry pits, and smoky coal fire. It’s a blazer on the tongue, but incredibly expressive with counterbalancing notes of butterscotch and red pepper, raspberry and spice. Surprisingly approachable at full proof, water is a clear benefit, but only a couple of drops. This really brings out the fruity notes in the whiskey, along with a milk chocolate note that lingers on the finish. I had a hard time balancing the water here, as even a few drops too much will water the whiskey down too far. All told, it’s arguably the best Barrel Proof release to date. - Christopher Null, drinkhacker.com

....The first 2020 batch of Elijah Craig Barrel Proof delivers all the classic flavors you’ve come to expect. Rich in okay and sweeter sugary flavors, Batch A120 delivers a well rounded but fiery sip. The proof shines through, especially in the long lingering heat that develops in the finish. It’s not the best showing for the brand, however it’s also far from the worst and should please most Elijah Craig and high proof bourbon fans alike. - breakingbourbon.com