Bourbon Comparison: Elijah Craig 12 Year vs. Elijah Craig 18

[whiskybitch]

Sounds like you had the same experience with the 18 we did. The 12 kicked the 18s ass. We were very underwhelmed, and also suspected the barrels used for the 18 were maybe too tired/previously-used, or shot.

[tcbarr5]

I had some 18 year at dinner tonight back to back with noah's mills and booker's and really enjoyed it. would love to see a review of noah's mills however, one of my favorites at the moment.

[jmpyle1]

@tcbarr5 Noah's is coming soon. Cheers.

[sljohnson517]

The Elijah Craig 12yr is amazing. I honestly think that there is nothing better for the price. I paid $23 for a bottle! I couldn't be happier. Better than makers mark, evan williams vinatage single barrel, and buffalo trace in my opinion.

[ncyankee101]

What is the interesting short squat bottle in the background? Looks somewhat like my bottle of Myers's Legend Rum (but I know it is not).

[jmpyle1]

@ncyankee101 That is a bottle of Old Forester Birthday Bourbon 2010. Cheers.

[MrMariusroyal]

A lot of you say that the 12 is much more flavorful and better versus the 18. I am not sure if this applies to bourbons, but when it comes to single malt scotch they really do peak anywhere from 12-16 years. I have had 21-25 year old very expensive scotch, but I have to say that I don't enjoy them as much.

[MrMariusroyal]

Of course extra time in the barrel changes the product. Thats what you pay for when you buy an older whisky. I have been drinking Scotch whisky for years now. I have a lot of knowledge when it comes to single malts and blends, but I know nothing about american whiskies. I'm thinking of getting into them, but I have no idea where to start. I walked down the bourbon isles at the liquor shops and they seem so much cheaper in price compared to what I spend on a bottle of a good single malt scotch.

[wesleytaylorviadomus]

Warning: Listen guys, The 12 year old is much smoother and mellower than the 18 year old. For $ 55 tax included, I was very disappointed. The only thing the 18 has, that the 12 does not is, when you add water, it has a better taste than when you put water in the 12. But the 12 year old being cheaper smoother, and vomit less drink, I would strongly pick the 12!!! Otherwise, you will be disappointed!

[Ormaaj]

I've always loved the 12. At least where I'm from, some of the best bang for your buck in bourbon IMO. This makes me want to try the 18 - unfortunately not worth the $50 to do so.

[flux142]

12 much better than the 18. I completely agree. You said it-overaged, lost all sweetness in the 18.

[natewayna]

one of, if not the best bourbon i have ever tasted love this stuff straight up or with a little dry or soda water. Thanx for your reviews they are tops.

[gsdsl]

The days depending on how my day went and what I ate and even the intensity of my workouts the taste of bourbon on my palate is way different.Sometimes less enjoyable than other time but for some odd reason when I go to your reviews and than start drinking regardless of how dull my palate is some-days eventually I start enjoying it.Your bourbon reviews are awesome!!!!!!!!!!Keep them going.

[jmpyle1]

@ahmedkandiel You and me both. Would love something in that range but that is the sweet spot they use for the Evan Williams SIngle Barrel. But I know what you mean indeed.

[nhoutdoorsman]

waiting for your Blanton's review

[jmpyle1]

@nhoutdoorsman Coming very very soon I assure you. Hang in there.

[jmpyle1]

@ATTICUSFINCH51 Let me know what you think!

[RushFugu]

So, finally after watching a lot of videos by Ralfy and you I have recieved my package of Whiskey. Contents: Buffalo Trace, Fighting Cock and Elijah Craig 12.

From the EC I get an overwhelming lot of fresh, new leather and some very tasty vanilla. It was interesting to note that I got way less barrel oak than I expected to get from the sniff.

Very, very interesting Whiskey indeed.

At some point in the future I will try the 18yr old. Seeing as it is a single barrel it might be different to yours.

[jmpyle1]

@RushFugu I am a big fan of the EC12. I like it better than the 18 year old. I have heard recent bottlings of the 18 have been far less oak heavy than in other years. i hope that's the case.  For me it threw the balance off a lot. But as you mentioned - all barrels are somewhat different.

Enjoy that package of bourbon!

[RushFugu]

@jmpyle1

Oh I am! If I might give my unqualified two cents about them, I'd say that I prefer the Buffalo Trace. I initially didn't like it but love it now. The rye in it is very unusual but all the more better if you get used to it.

I am very excited about how they develope.

The Fighting Cock is very sweet by the way. Neat and even on ice it's sweet big time! With cola however it might just be my new house standard for whiskey+coke. It fits very nicely together!

[RushFugu]

By the way, any chance you'd review Buffalo Trace? You've had some whiskeys from that distellery so I'd only find it logical to take on their naming product.

[squirtly7]

I see you have a bottle of Old Overholt Straight Rye in the background. One of my favorite vaule Rye whiskeys.

[jmpyle1]

@squirtly7 Yep, I mix drinks with it every now and again. It lacks some pop straight but makes a decent cocktail.

[shuboy05]

Elijah Craig 18 does have a bit of historical value though. This bourbon was distilled and placed into barrels at the old Heaven Hill Distillery before it got destroyed by a fire in 1996. Considering the amount of whiskey that was lost in that fire, it's a bit surprising the 18 year old is selling at around $50.

[jmpyle1]

@shuboy05 Very true indeed. I had not thought of it in that way but you're right. Craig Beam said a couple weeks ago that each of those warehouses has about $10MM worth of bourbon in it. Brings a tear to my eye!

[shuboy05]

@jmpyle1

This actually makes me curious about the time when Heaven Hill runs out of the remaining whiskey from the old distillery. The most likely thing Heaven Hill will do is age a few barrels of Elijah Craig 12 year old an extra six years so that they can have an uninterrupted product line but will there be a major taste difference between the old Heaven Hill product and what is being currently produced at the new facility?

[j2ndcaptain]

EC12 available easy. But Is this too firm? Does it have anything like Dickel no 12 in it (chewy, creme,leathery,etc?  Beam Booker's was not to my preference and was like the way you discriminated EC18. Felt Flat.

[jmpyle1]

@j2ndcaptain Yes, Elijah Craig 12 has a dryness to for sure. I believe that's what you equate with "Firm". The entry on the first sip has good sweetness and body but it dries quick and the oak and savory flavors take over. I think Evan Williams Single Barrell 2000 is a whiskey that has a bit more soft, creamy texture to it. I'd also recommend ELmer T. Lee.

[schmazly2]

@jmpyle1

I agree! I liked Evan Williams Single Barrel better that the EC. I think the whisky matures quickly in KY, with all that heat in the summer and such cold winters.

My taste buds suggest 10 yrs is perfect for a bourbon.