Review #586 - Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Batch 11

These old 'pirate bottle' versions of Heaven Hill's Elijah Craig Barrel Proof series have become somewhat legendary in recent years. In addition to the standard age statement of 12 years (and some older barrels were likely included), these batches distilled around the turn of the millennium sported very high proof points and a slightly different flavor profile when compared to the more modern versions. There were 12 official batches released between 2013 and 2016, before the bottle shape was changed to the current style and we received the updated batch numbering method.

This Batch 11, also sometimes known as B516 as it was the second release of 2016, sold starting in the month of May, has that typical 12 year age statement, as well as a blistering strength of 69.7% ABV (139.4 proof).

Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Batch 11

USA - Bourbon

Available Price: USD 440 (2025, based on recent auction results)

Age Statement: 12 Years

Strength: 69.7% ABV

Details: Batch 11 (B516), bottled 2016

Tasting Methodology: Reviewed 1 time; bottle at 50% fill level at time of review. Tasted in a nosing glass, rested 15+ minutes

Nose: Quite oaky - dark and dense. It's a bit closed up at first, but it opens to sweet vanilla and sweet cigar tobacco, as well as dense, dark plums. Leather builds in the oak, and more red fruit is found deeper in the glass; the cigar notes become quite prominent.

Palate: The mouthfeel is thick. Rich, spicy oak with some tannins arrives, and there's a cinnamon side to it as well. Tons of oak, really, but there's a softer vanilla sweetness that builds, and fruits, too: plum again, then dark cocktail cherries. Smokiness from the oak arrives, again like a sweet cigar smoke.

Finish: Wood spice, tons of tobacco smoke, and a deep, dark complexion - this mirrors the nose and palate well. It's a long finish, full of Luxardo cherry and wood spice, and the texture is excellent - very oily.

Final Note: One of the best bourbons we've tasted, without a doubt. This is our favorite profile from Heaven Hill - dark, smoky oak with red fruit notes. The texture is excellent due to the high strength and the long time spent in wood; the nose was initially a bit closed up, but opened nicely with time, and the palate is packed with flavor.

Of course, these old bottles are now very expensive to procure - we've see this version of Elijah Craig Barrel Proof averaging a bit more than $400 recently at auction. At those sorts of prices, it isn't getting a great value score, but if you're looking to splurge on an amazing bottle, something like this is a good candidate.

Our Average Rating: 9.0 / 10

In the current whisky landscape of increasing prices and variable quality, we've added a value rating to our reviews that relates to the score and the available pricing of each whisky. This roughly equates to a 0-10 scale; no reviews so far have exceeded a score of 10, although it is technically possible for the formula to produce a value rating higher than 10 with a high enough score and low enough price.

Value Rating (Available Price): 4.73

About Us: We're a husband and wife review team living in the Midwest United States. Generally, our reviews and tasting notes will be a compilation of both of our experiences with a whisky over several tasting sessions.