Review #332 - Elijah Craig 10 Year Private Barrel - Wiseguy Lounge Pick 'Arson'
A local speakeasy, the Wiseguy Lounge, does a number of private barrel picks across a variety of brands. One relationship they've cultivated is with Heaven Hill - they get a regular supply of Elijah Craig private barrels, which are then offered by the pour and by the bottle in their bar locations.
This selection was given the name 'Arson,' probably due to its strength: 68.2% ABV, or 136.4 proof. It was aged 10 years before bottling, and comes from barrel 6059744. Like all of the Elijah Craig barrel proof bottlings and private barrels, this bourbon is not chill filtered.
Elijah Craig 10 Year Private Barrel - Wiseguy Lounge Pick 'Arson'
USA - Bourbon
Price: USD 125 (2023)
Age Statement: 10 Years
Strength: 68.2% ABV
Details: Not chill filtered; barrel 6059744
Tasting Methodology: Reviewed 1 time; bottle at 90% fill level at time of review. Tasted in a Glencairn glass, rested 10-15 minutes
Nose: A strong nose with a hint of ethanol, but plenty of flavors, too: caramel, vanilla, and a bit of dusty grain. There's a decent amount of oak coming from those 10 years of aging, and with time, spice like anise develops.
Palate: The heat doesn't necessarily show up front, but it starts to ramp up as the bourbon sits on the tongue. Very rich, full of maple syrup and smooth caramel, and there's a bit of barrel char adding a smoky element. Hints of jalapeno, or a jalapeno-cherry jam, arrive later; the mouthfeel is thick and viscous.
Finish: Medium-long, warming, but not as hot as you might expect given the proof point. The caramel theme continues, and we get a smooth, buttery texture; spice develops at the end of the finish.
Final Note: A solid barrel proof version of Elijah Craig - this one was heavy on the sweet caramel flavors. The proof does come across at times as a bit powerful, but it isn't overwhelming, and doesn't detract from the experience. There's a great mouthfeel from that strength, and we enjoyed the subtle spice from anise throughout the tasting.
Prices will vary on these private barrel versions of Elijah Craig - we've seen them as low as $80 at other stores in the past, but this version falls near the top of the range, with a $120+ price tag. Because of that, value is just okay.
Our Average Rating: 7.5 / 10
In the current whisky landscape of increasing prices and variable quality, we've added a value rating to our reviews that relates to the score and the available pricing of each whisky. This roughly equates to a 0-10 scale; no reviews so far have exceeded a score of 10, although it is technically possible for the formula to produce a value rating higher than 10 with a high enough score and low enough price.
Value Rating: 6.00
About Us: We're a husband and wife review team living in the Midwest United States. Generally, our reviews and tasting notes will be a compilation of both of our experiences with a whisky over several tasting sessions.
