Elijah Craig Single Barrel Bourbon: Your Gateway to Unique Barrel Character – Available Through Store Picks

While Elijah Craig Small Batch is the consistent flagship, the true exploration of Heaven Hill’s renowned high-rye bourbon comes through Elijah Craig Single Barrel selections. Unlike a core product, these offerings are store or group picks, providing access to the distinct personality of individual barrels. Finding them means seeking out retailers who participate in this beloved program.

Availability & Purchasing (USA):

• Store Pick Program: Elijah Craig Single Barrel bourbons are exclusively released through the “Single Barrel Select” program. This means retailers, bars, or whiskey clubs select individual barrels directly from Heaven Hill.

• Where to Buy:

  • Participating Retailers: Your primary source. Well-regarded independent liquor stores and larger chains (like Total Wine, Binny’s, Spec’s) often have their own picks. Look for store signage or ask staff.

  • Online Retailers: Stores with online platforms frequently sell their selected barrels (e.g., sharedpour.com, seelbachs.com, specific store websites). Shipping restrictions apply.

  • Bars/Restaurants: Occasionally, a bar’s selected barrel may be available for bottle sales to patrons.

  • Distillery: The Heaven Hill Visitor Center in Bardstown, KY, often has distillery-selected single barrels for sale.

• Finding Them: Requires active searching. Follow your favorite local stores and online retailers on social media or subscribe to newsletters for pick announcements. Call ahead and ask if they have any current Elijah Craig Single Barrel picks.

• Price: Typically ranges from $30 to $50 USD for a 750ml bottle. This represents excellent value for a single barrel of this age and quality. Prices are generally stable as these are store selections, not highly allocated limited editions like the Toasted Barrel.

Answering the “People Also Ask” (Google):

1. “How much is Elijah Craig Single Barrel?”

   • Answer: Elijah Craig Single Barrel store picks are very reasonably priced, usually between $30 and $50 USD (MSRP around $36.99). This makes them an outstanding value for a single barrel bourbon of this age and pedigree.

2. “What proof is Elijah Craig Single Barrel?”

   • Answer: Like the Small Batch, Elijah Craig Single Barrel selections are bottled at a robust 94 proof (47% ABV). This proof provides significant flavor without excessive heat.

3. “What is the difference between Elijah Craig Small Batch and Single Barrel?”

   • Answer: This is the core distinction:

   • Elijah Craig Small Batch: A blend of 100+ barrels meticulously chosen by the Master Distiller for a consistent, balanced, and oaky profile year after year.

   • Elijah Craig Single Barrel: Comes from one specific barrel selected by a retailer or group. It showcases the unique characteristics of that single barrel – variations in flavor intensity, spice, fruit, oak, and sweetness are expected and celebrated. It offers a singular experience specific to that pick.

4. “How old is Elijah Craig Single Barrel?”

   • Answer: While not always age-stated on the store pick label, most Elijah Craig Single Barrel selections are typically between 8 and 12 years old. The selecting retailer often knows the exact age and may share this information. Some exceptional older barrels (12+ years) are occasionally selected.

5. “Why is Elijah Craig Single Barrel special?”

   • Answer: It’s special because:

     • Unique Character: Each barrel offers a one-of-a-kind tasting experience you won’t find identically replicated elsewhere.

     • Barrel Influence: Showcases the profound impact of a single barrel’s location in the rickhouse, char level, and aging environment on the final whiskey.

     • Value: Offers access to well-aged, high-quality single barrel bourbon at a very accessible price point.

     • Craft Focus: Non-chill filtered, preserving more mouthfeel and flavor complexity.

     • Store Connection: Often represents the taste preferences of a trusted local retailer or whiskey group.

Tasting Profile (General Characteristics & Variability):

While each barrel is unique, Elijah Craig Single Barrel picks share a family resemblance to the Small Batch, often with amplified notes:

• Core DNA: Expect the signature Heaven Hill high-rye bourbon profile: Rich caramel, vanilla, oak, dried fruit (cherry, apple), baking spices (cinnamon, nutmeg), and honey.

• Amplified Nuances: Depending on the barrel, you might encounter pronounced:

  • Oak: Deep char, tannin structure, cedar, or polished wood.

  • Fruit: Brighter cherry, ripe apple, dark plum, or dried apricot.

  • Spice: More forward black pepper, clove, or anise from the rye.

  • Sweetness: Intense brown sugar, butterscotch, or maple syrup.

  • Other Notes: Dark chocolate, leather, tobacco, nuts (almond, pecan), or floral hints.

• Mouthfeel: Typically full-bodied and viscous, enhanced by non-chill filtration.

• Finish: Long, warm, and satisfying, emphasizing oak, spice, and the barrel’s dominant sweet or fruity notes.

Conclusion

Elijah Craig Single Barrel bourbons represent the exciting, variable heart of Heaven Hill’s distilling craft. Moving beyond the consistent excellence of the Small Batch, these store picks offer enthusiasts an affordable passport to explore the fascinating diversity hidden within individual barrels. The hunt isn’t for a specific bottle name, but for the unique character promised by a specific retailer’s selection.

At their price point, they deliver exceptional value, offering well-aged, complex, and non-chill filtered whiskey that consistently punches above its weight. The 94 proof provides ample flavor intensity while remaining approachable. Whether you discover a fruit-forward gem, an oak-laden powerhouse, or a perfectly balanced spice bomb, each pick tells its own story.

For bourbon drinkers seeking variety, value, and a direct connection to the impact of single barrel maturation, seeking out an Elijah Craig Single Barrel store pick is highly rewarding. Check your local premium retailers, explore reputable online stores, and don’t hesitate to ask – discovering your next favorite unique pour from this iconic brand might be closer than you think. Embrace the variation; that’s where the single barrel magic lies.