Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel
Overall Score: 7.25/10
Overall Value: 4.25/5
Distillery: Elijah Craig Distillery Co. (Heaven Hill)
Classification: Straight Bourbon
Company: Elijah Craig Distillery Co. (Heaven Hill)
Release Date: Ongoing
Proof: 94
Age: NAS
Color: Dark Honey
MSRP: $50 (2025)
Mashbill: 78% Corn, 12% Malted Barley, 10% Rye
The Barrel Bros’ Review
The nose of the Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel opens light and sweet, featuring bright red cherry, caramel, and a candy-like quality reminiscent of Smarties. Notes of peanut, nougat, honeycomb, and butterscotch emerge, along with a subtle oak presence that brings out a browned butter and sugar sweetness. While there’s a hint of fruitiness, it remains understated and blends well with the toasted finish.
The mouthfeel on the palate is rich and oily, offering more complexity than the nose suggests. Upfront, there’s a strong char presence with a slight dryness, followed by flavors of candied cherry, burnt marshmallow, and a touch of orange peel. It’s not overly complex, but the interplay of sweet and charred notes makes for an enjoyable sip.
The finish begins with a fruit roll-up sweetness before transitioning into a smoky oak presence. A toasted marshmallow note is present, adding warmth and depth. While there is a slight drying effect, it doesn’t overshadow the overall experience. The finish leans toward the darker, slightly bitter side with hints of dark chocolate and charred wood.
Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel Bourbon takes the classic Elijah Craig profile and elevates it with a well-executed toasted finish. At its MSRP of around $50, it offers a flavorful, approachable experience that’s well worth the price. While it may not hold up under deep scrutiny, it excels as an easy sipper, perfect for casual enjoyment or sharing with friends. If you find it on sale, it’s a must-buy for anyone who enjoys toasted bourbons with a balanced mix of sweetness and char.
If you’re looking for specific notes from our Barrel Bros, read their individual reviews below!
Individual Reviews
The Rye Guy Says
Score: 7/10
Value: 4/5
THE NOSE:
Sweet and bright red cherry with a bit of peanut nougat, like payday.
There is just enough oak to make the sweetness present like browned butter and sugar.
THE TASTE:
It has a very oily and mellow mouthfeel. There is a strong amount of char that makes itself known at the beginning, along with a slight dryness.
It tastes like a candied cherry stuck inside a burnt marshmallow. There is also a bit of orange peel flavor here as well.
This cuts the sweetness from the nose a bit, and leaves a mostly cherry and bitter dark chocolate flavor.
THE FINISH:
The finish is really pleasant and full bodied, but it isn't particularly a preferred flavor for me.
It has a smoky oak note to it that is a bit too heavy, but it’s nice that it is mostly sweet.
BUY OR PASS?
This is a great toasted barrel option for anyone who really loves this profile, or anyone looking to try a toasted bourbon. It has a lot of flavor for the proof point and feels well-made.
I also think it doesn’t stand up to scrutiny as well as it would just sipping it on an evening with friends.
The Hunter Says
Score: 7.5/10
Value: 4.5/5
THE NOSE:
Light and sweet, with a candy-like quality that reminds me of Smarties.
There’s a nice blend of rice krispies, honeycomb, caramel, and butterscotch from the toasting process.
While there’s a hint of fruitiness, it’s very subtle and hard to pin down.
THE TASTE:
It’s light on the palate but packs a surprising amount of flavor for its proof.
This has all the hallmarks of a classic bourbon profile, but the toasted finish adds depth.
Upfront, I get a touch of cola, followed by an overall sweetness. It’s not overly complex, but it’s a very satisfying sip.
THE FINISH:
The finish starts with a fruit roll-up sweetness and a pleasant touch of oak.
After a few more sips, I noticed a toasted marshmallow note that I loved.
It does dry out the palate slightly, which isn’t my favorite, but it’s not a dealbreaker.
BUY OR PASS?
The toasted finish really takes this bottle up a notch from the standard Elijah Craig. While I’d probably skip the base offering at $25-30, this $50 bottle is one I’ll always want to keep around.
It’s full of flavor at a low proof, making it easy to enjoy in larger pours or across an evening without overwhelming the palate.
