Welcome back to another exciting whiskey comparison. This time, we’re delving into the world of bourbon to pit two stellar releases from the renowned Heaven Hill Distillery against each other: Elijah Craig 12 yo vs Evan Williams single barrel bourbon whiskey.
These two gems hail from the heart of bourbon country, Louisville, Kentucky. They stand as the flagship brands of Heaven Hill Distillery, a heavyweight in the American alcohol industry, ranking as the 7th largest alcohol supplier in the USA, boasting an impressive portfolio of bourbons and spirits.
But let’s cut to the chase – how distinct are these two bourbons when you put them head-to-head? Are there traces of a shared “family resemblance” when sipping them side by side, or are they so unique that you’d never guess they came from the same lineage?
First, let’s take a closer look at each of them individually.
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The origins of our first contender, Elijah Craig, can be traced back to the late 1700s when Reverend Craig founded a distillery in Virginia. Legend has it that after a fire damaged his barrels, the thrifty Reverend decided to fill the charred ones with whiskey.
Surprisingly, the whiskey from these charred barrels turned out to be superior. Thus, whether deservedly or not, Reverend Craig has been dubbed the “Father of bourbon whiskey.” Elijah Craig 12 year old bourbon is the result, featuring a mash bill composed of 78% corn, 12% malted barley, and 10% rye.
Meanwhile, our other contender, Evan Williams Single Barrel bourbon, reigns as the second-largest-selling Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey in the United States.
The Evan Williams Single Barrel bourbon, in particular, stands out with its vintage distinction, being a 2006 release. Each bottle proudly displays the year it was laid down in oak (in my case, 2006), the bottling date (April 16, 2015), and the unique serial number of the single barrel from which the bourbon was drawn (Barrel No. 108).
Aged for approximately 9 years, it’s hand-selected by the Master Distiller before being bottled as a Single Barrel release. Evan Williams boasts a mash bill comprising 75% corn, 13% rye, and 12% barley, distinguishing it from its Elijah Craig counterpart.
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| The Elijah Craig 12 yo | Evan Williams Single Barrel | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Bourbon whiskey | Bourbon whiskey |
| ABV | 47% | 43.3% |
| Mash bill | 78% Corn, 12% Malted Barley, and 10% Rye | 75% corn, 13% rye and 12% barley |
| Colour | Dark red polished copper | Dark amber with hints of red |
| Nose | Quite spicy with bold notes of toasted oak spice, pepper, toffee, Christmas pudding and cinnamon baked apples. Floral notes, hints of jasmine flowers. | Sweetness and richness with buttery Christmas pudding. Cloves, cinnamon and oak as well as cherries and candied fruits. Faint hints of condensed milk and caramel. |
| Palate | Sweetness with touches of vanilla and nutmeg. There are notes of citrus peel, candy apple and warm oak. Medium bodied. Water softens the spicy notes and smooths the citrus. | Spicy pepper and cinnamon mixed with oak and bits of fruit. Medium body and not as sweet as the nose suggested. Water makes it easier drinking. |
| Finish | Medium length with sweetness and hints of flowers mixed with the vanilla and nutmeg. | Quite a long finish and ends in notes of spicy pepper and lemon peel. |
| My Rating | Very Good | Very Good |
| Comments | More sweetbness and nutmeg spice with vanilla | Warming pepper spices with oak |
| Price | $35 | $33 |
| Pairs well with | Aged Cheddar Cheese, salami and cold meat platter, KFC Chicken wings | Apple Pie, Flapjacks with maple syrup and bacon, |
Now, onto the tasting notes. Elijah Craig 12 year old bourbon whiskey greets your senses with a spicy kick on the nose and a peppery bite on the palate. Hints of bold oak and nutmeg dance on the taste buds, and when you think you have it figured out, the finish surprises you with a delightful sweetness.
On the other hand, Evan Williams Single Barrel bourbon whiskey opens with sweeter notes, including vanilla and cinnamon, but takes a spicier turn toward the end, making for a longer and more fiery finish compared to Elijah Craig.
In the showdown between these two bourbons, I preferred Elijah Craig. It is sweeter with a better balance between the oak and nutmeg spices than the Evan Williams.
I’m not alone in this sentiment, as feedback from friends on Twitter and Instagram echoed a similar sentiment. Many favoured the fruitier sweetness of the Elijah Craig 12 year old bourbon.
It’s truly fascinating to witness the stark differences between these two bourbon whiskey expressions originating from the same distillery. Elijah Craig and Evan Williams Single Barrel are prime examples of the rich diversity within the world of bourbon, offering unique flavour profiles that cater to a wide range of palates.
So, whether you lean towards the sweeter complexity of Elijah Craig or the spicy allure of Evan Williams, one thing is clear – Heaven Hill Distillery knows how to craft exceptional bourbons that stand out in their own right.
Cheers to the wonderful world of whiskey!
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