Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Rye Whiskey / A925
The Stats
- Distillery: Heaven Hill Distillery
- Location: Bardstown, KY
- Type: Straight Rye Whiskey
- Age: 12 years, 3 months
- Proof: 108 (54% ABV)
- Mash Bill: 51% Rye / 35% Corn / 14% Malted Barley
- Release: September 2025 (First Batch)
- Price: $75–80
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For years, Heaven Hill’s Elijah Craig line has been a bourbon lover’s staple; small batch, barrel proof, toasted, you name it. But this time, they’ve gone where Elijah Craig’s never gone before: full barrel proof rye.
The bottle looks familiar, with its signature curved-shoulder shape that every Elijah Craig release proudly wears. It’s not flashy, but instantly recognizable. It’s the brand’s quiet confidence: no gimmicks, just good whiskey. The wood-topped cork and compact front label pack in detail without clutter, and while it doesn’t scream luxury, it doesn’t have to. You see that shape, and you know exactly what you’re getting.
As for the story behind it: Elijah Craig has been the workhorse of Heaven Hill since the late 1980s, named after the Baptist preacher who (depending on who you ask) invented bourbon. True or not, Heaven Hill’s done plenty to earn its own legend. They’ve been making rye for decades: Rittenhouse, Pikesville, and the standard Elijah Craig Small Batch Rye, but never a barrel proof version under the Elijah Craig name. Until now.
The Rye That Finally Wins Over Bourbon Lovers
This debut release takes that barely legal rye mash bill (51% rye, 35% corn, 14% malted barley) and lets it age a remarkable 12 years and 3 months, uncut and unfiltered. Straight from the rickhouse. No shortcuts, no chill filtering, just pure Kentucky rye with a bourbon soul.
Result? A whiskey that feels both familiar and fresh. This is a rye designed for bourbon drinkers, full of depth, warmth, and balance rather than raw spice or heat.
Tasting Notes
Aroma
This nose plays tricks on you. Sweet butterscotch, fruit, and caramel dominate up front. Soft, buttery, and inviting. You might forget it’s a rye at all. Give it time to open, and faint herbal notes begin to appear, adding layers without overpowering. It’s elegant, fruity, and surprisingly gentle for something born at 108 proof.
Taste
Sweet, balanced, and bold. The first sip hits with vanilla, honey, toasted oak, and fruit, offering all the richness of a bourbon with just enough rye spice to keep things interesting. As it sits, you start to notice hints of clove, pepper, and sweet grain, a slow evolution that rewards patience. Despite the high proof, it’s approachable. The warmth lingers, but it doesn’t punish. It’s the kind of pour that reminds you why patience and age still matter.
Finish
Long, warm, and lingering. A touch of pepper and toasted sugar ride out the finish, giving you that classic Elijah Craig hug without overwhelming heat. At 108 proof, it’s balanced perfectly between comfort and strength.
Artfully Bourbon Rating
9 / 10 - Excellent
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Rye is confident, complex, and free of gimmicks. It delivers all the age and depth you’d expect from Heaven Hill, with a sweetness and structure that might finally convert bourbon purists to rye. It’s bold yet balanced. This is a rye that behaves like a refined bourbon in disguise.
If you’re exploring bottles in this space, try it alongside Pikesville Rye, Jack Daniel’s Barrel Proof Rye, or the standard Elijah Craig Small Batch Rye to see just how much more character this new release delivers.
