The label calls Elijah Craig the Father of Bourbon — and the claim is rooted in real history. In 1789, Baptist minister Elijah Craig became the first distiller recorded to char oak barrels before aging his whiskey in them, a discovery that defined bourbon as a category and a flavor profile for centuries to come. That charring technique is the foundation of every bourbon produced today. Heaven Hill Distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky honors that legacy by aging all Elijah Craig bourbons in Level 3 charred new oak barrels — the same char level that unlocks caramelized sugars, vanillin, wood smoke, and spice from deep within the wood.
Elijah Craig Small Batch is also notable for being the original small batch bourbon — available before the term was even invented in the industry. Each batch is drawn from a mingling of 8 to 12-year-old barrels, with no more than 70 barrels per batch, all hand-selected from the middle and upper floors of Heaven Hill's traditional rickhouses where the temperature swings are most dramatic and the aging most concentrated. Bottled at 94 proof for balance and maximum flavor, it has earned Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and consistently sits at the top of every best-value bourbon list in the country.
ABV / Proof
| Distillery |
Heaven Hill Distillery, Bardstown, Kentucky |
| Type |
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Small Batch |
| Mashbill |
Corn, rye and malted barley |
| Aging |
Mingling of 8 to 12-year-old barrels, no more than 70 barrels per batch |
| Char Level |
Level 3 charred new American oak barrels |
| Awards |
Double Gold at San Francisco World Spirits Competition, voted Best Small Batch Bourbon |
| Proof |
94 Proof |
| ABV |
47% |
| Bottle Size |
750ml |
| Country |
United States, Kentucky |
Tasting Notes
Nose: Pure sweetness with honey, marzipan, vanilla bean, sweet fruit and fresh mint — rich and inviting with subtle wood smoke from the Level 3 char
Palate: Full-bodied and delightfully complex — butterscotch, brandied cherries, sweet leather, cinnamon, dark chocolate fudge, and caramel oak. The 94 proof adds presence without heat
Finish: Long and sweet with the oak-driven finish lingering alongside herbal and anise notes — satisfying and complete
FAQ
Who was Elijah Craig and why is he called the Father of Bourbon?
Elijah Craig was a Baptist minister in Kentucky who in 1789 became the first person documented to age his whiskey in charred oak barrels. The charring technique transformed the spirit — the fire creates a layer of caramelized wood sugars that vanilla, caramel, and spice flavors filter through as the whiskey ages. This discovery is the defining technique of American bourbon and Craig is credited with it to this day.
What does Level 3 char mean and why does it matter?
Barrels are charred at different intensities numbered 1 through 4. Level 3 — sometimes called the "alligator char" — creates a deep, cracked carbon layer that acts as a natural filter while releasing maximum amounts of caramelized sugars, vanillin, and wood smoke into the spirit. It's the most commonly used char level in premium bourbon production for a reason: it produces the most complex flavor.
How does Elijah Craig compare to other small batch bourbons at this price?
At 94 proof from a blend of 8 to 12-year-old barrels at no more than 70 barrels per batch, Elijah Craig consistently outperforms bourbons twice its price in blind tastings. It has won Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and is routinely cited by critics as one of the best values in American whiskey.
Where can I buy Elijah Craig Small Batch online?
Available here at Liquor On Broadway — fast, insured shipping nationwide.
