Elijah Craig Private Toasted Barrel Bourbon Whiskey

Elijah Craig Private Toasted Barrel Bourbon Whiskey is a Heaven Hill private barrel: one cask of Elijah Craig finished in a second, custom toasted new-oak barrel, then bottled uncut. Independent Stave air-dries the oak 18 months, toasts it, and flash-chars it so the red layer in the wood is thicker than a standard char, which is why this pour leans into caramelized sugar and chocolate instead of another blast of heavy char. A bottle you can open for guests without overthinking the pour.

Toasted oak and rich caramel open on marshmallow and baking spice. Milk chocolate and a little pepper follow, with a hint of smoke from the toast. The mouthfeel is sweet and round. The finish is warming, chocolate and spice lingering over oak.