Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel Finish Bourbon Whiskey
Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel Finish Bourbon Whiskey is Heaven Hill's "twice-barreled" expression — fully matured Elijah Craig Small Batch bourbon, dumped and re-entered at barrel proof into a second custom-toasted new oak barrel, then bottled at 94 proof (47% ABV) in a 750mL bottle. Developed in partnership with Independent Stave Company over months of R&D, the finishing barrel uses 18-month air-dried oak, toasted then flash-charred, to draw out dark sugar flavors while balancing smokiness and sweetness. Available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- Proof / ABV: 94 proof (47% ABV) — 750mL
- Style: twice-barreled Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (no age statement)
- Finish: months in a custom-toasted new American oak barrel (18-month air-dried staves, moderate toast, flash-charred) — second barrel only, after full maturation
- Origin: Heaven Hill Distillery, Bardstown, Kentucky
- Recognition: Gold — International Spirits Challenge 2022
Why Two Barrels Matter
Toasting is a separate art from charring: where charred oak gives bourbon its classic caramel and vanilla, the toasted finishing barrel's moderate heat coaxes dark sugars, milk chocolate, and baking spice out of the wood without the heavy smoke of a deep char. Only new American oak is used in both stages, so the Straight Bourbon identity never wavers. Distillery tasters call it "big, rich, and complex" — spice and pepper fading into milk chocolate with a hint of smoke, and a finish that lingers on chocolate and baking spices. Browse more from Elijah Craig or explore Del Mesa's bourbon whiskey collection.
Tasting Notes
Spice and pepper up front, fading to milk chocolate with a whisper of smoke; the finish is long on chocolate and baking spices — the custom-toast finish showing through the Elijah Craig Small Batch base (distiller tasting notes).
How to Enjoy
Neat to appreciate the toasted finish — or with one large cube if you take your bourbon chilled. The chocolate notes make it a natural after-dinner pour.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is "toasted barrel" finishing?
After full maturation, the whiskey spends months in a second new oak barrel that has been toasted (moderate heat) rather than deeply charred, pulling dark sugar and chocolate flavors from the wood with less smokiness.
Is Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel age stated?
No — it carries no age statement; it is built on fully matured Elijah Craig Small Batch.
Has it won awards?
Yes — Gold at the International Spirits Challenge 2022.
Twice barreled, unmistakably Elijah Craig — add the Toasted Barrel to your Del Mesa Liquor order online, San Diego, CA.