Table Of Contents

The Details

Rating 92
Style
American Whiskey
Whiskey
Produced In Kentucky
United States
ABV 64.5%
Availability Limited
Price $74.99 
Reviewed By
Review Updated 2024-10-24

Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Batch C924 Review

We’re deep in bourbon release season, and among the limited annual drops, it’s all too easy to forget one of the industry’s heaviest hitters: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof. Each year, Kentucky-based producer Heaven Hill releases three batches of the hallmark expression, generally along a January-May-September cadence.

The final batch of 2024 is dubbed C924. Here’s a quick primer on how to parse those codes:

  • The letter corresponds to the year’s release number; in this case, “C” means the year’s third release.
  • The numeral immediately after the letter refers to the release month; in this case, “9” corresponds to September.
  • The final two numerals correspond to the year; in this case, “24.”

We reviewed Batches A124 (the youngest in the line’s history) and B524 (a more standard 11 years and 2 months) earlier this year; a single point separated them on our rating scale.

Batch C924 clocks in at 11 years old and 129 proof, just a tiny bit younger and tiny bit lower than May’s release. As with all Elijah Craig Barrel Proof bourbons, it’s distilled from a mash of 78 percent corn, 12 percent malted barley, and 10 percent rye.

Let’s see how 2024’s final ECBP stacks up!

Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Batch C924: Stats and Availability

Elijah Craig hunters will be pleased to know the MSRP for this latest batch remains unchanged: around $75. It’s a limited national release, and due to the expression’s reputation, retail prices can sometimes hover a bit above that suggestion. (This was especially true with C923, which carried a 13+ year age statement.)

Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Batch C924 Review

As with all of VinePair’s whiskey reviews, this was tasted in a Glencairn glass and rested for at least five minutes.

Nose

Though there’s always variation between batches, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof tends to deliver a consistently quality nose; it’s one of the prototypical cask strength Kentucky straight bourbon whiskeys. Batch C924 largely delivers on that front, with classic aromas I can pick up even when pouring the whiskey: toasted oak, scraped vanilla bean, maple candy, snickerdoodle cookie, and dried apricot.

After some time in the glass (rest your whiskey, folks!), burnt orange peel and tanned leather become more pronounced, while the oak turns darker and slightly more tannic in the realm of black tea. Dark cocoa dust and a little earthiness akin to damp potting soil add some additional complexity even further on.

I thought batch B524 — this bourbon’s immediate predecessor — boasted a punchy, moderately hot nose that showcased all of that release’s 130+ proof. Though it’s less than two proof points lower, C924 is noticeably more tempered, more subdued, and at no point did I get ethanol-induced nostril fatigue.

On the nose, B524 also carried a noteworthy fresh mint note. I don’t sense anything quite as idiosyncratic with C924. While this latest batch lacks a true curveball here, the tamer nosing experience allows some of those classic, sweet-leaning notes to shine. It’s a fair tradeoff and one I didn’t mind at all.

Taste

A relatively tempered nose leads to a plenty-punchy first sip, and long time Elijah Craig fans won’t be disappointed here. It’s at once bold, oak-forward, and fruity, with dark plums, grape jelly, and more apricot lingering from the front to the back of the palate. My second sip is rich in honey-sweetened tea, the whiskey’s tannins pairing nicely with some complex and flavorful sweetness; C924 never falls into the trap of simply giving table sugar to compliment the oak.

There’s ample viscosity here, perhaps not the thickest mouthfeel on a recent Elijah Craig, but it’s still got more body than the vast majority of bourbons on the market (even at cask strength). As flavors evolve, texture keeps those dark fruits on the tongue and top of mind almost the entire length of the sipping experience.

Lightly roasted peanuts layer on top of that ever-present fruit; the bourbon is a bit nuttier and perhaps a little less chocolate-forward than the other batches this year. A few more sips in, and flavors shift slightly, the peanut staying put while a bready element grows right under it. Combined with the continued fruit flavors, I’m reminded of a PB&J on toasted sourdough.

Finish

I’m a little impressed with how well that jammy fruit hangs on straight through the finish. A big hit of ethanol gives one last reminder of what you’re really drinking here. After that heat, black tea and a little lemon oil round out the final act.

Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Batch C924 Rating

92/100

Recap

This latest ECBP bottling certainly didn’t reinvent the wheel, and honestly, that’s a fine way for Heaven Hill to round out the year as far as cask strength releases. We’ve got some classic Elijah Craig Barrel Proof aromas and flavors, with just a touch more nuttiness than most recent versions. (A random thought: If you enjoy both Heaven Hill and Jim Beam profiles, this might be squarely in your wheelhouse.)

It’s consistent — and consistently good — bourbon, with enough intra-brand variation to keep things interesting and hunt-worthy. Happy sipping.

As of 2024, VinePair no longer participates in any affiliate programs. All links included in our content are as a convenience to our readers, not for earning commission — we receive no monetary value from them. Learn more about our tastings & review department here!

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92
POINTS
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Batch C924
We’re deep in bourbon release season, and among the limited annual drops, it’s all too easy to forget one of the industry’s heaviest hitters: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof. Each year, Kentucky-based producer Heaven Hill releases three batches of the hallmark expression, generally along a January-May-September cadence. The final batch of 2024 is dubbed C924. Here’s a quick primer on how to parse those codes:
  • The letter corresponds to the year’s release number; in this case, “C” means the year’s third release.
  • The numeral immediately after the letter refers to the release month; in this case, “9” corresponds to September.
  • The final two numerals correspond to the year; in this case, “24.”
We reviewed Batches A124 (the youngest in the line’s history) and B524 (a more standard 11 years and 2 months) earlier this year; a single point separated them on our rating scale. Batch C924 clocks in at 11 years old and 129 proof, just a tiny bit younger and tiny bit lower than May’s release. As with all Elijah Craig Barrel Proof bourbons, it’s distilled from a mash of 78 percent corn, 12 percent malted barley, and 10 percent rye. Let’s see how 2024’s final ECBP stacks up!

Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Batch C924: Stats and Availability

Elijah Craig hunters will be pleased to know the MSRP for this latest batch remains unchanged: around $75. It’s a limited national release, and due to the expression’s reputation, retail prices can sometimes hover a bit above that suggestion. (This was especially true with C923, which carried a 13+ year age statement.)

Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Batch C924 Review

As with all of VinePair’s whiskey reviews, this was tasted in a Glencairn glass and rested for at least five minutes.

Nose

Though there’s always variation between batches, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof tends to deliver a consistently quality nose; it’s one of the prototypical cask strength Kentucky straight bourbon whiskeys. Batch C924 largely delivers on that front, with classic aromas I can pick up even when pouring the whiskey: toasted oak, scraped vanilla bean, maple candy, snickerdoodle cookie, and dried apricot. After some time in the glass (rest your whiskey, folks!), burnt orange peel and tanned leather become more pronounced, while the oak turns darker and slightly more tannic in the realm of black tea. Dark cocoa dust and a little earthiness akin to damp potting soil add some additional complexity even further on. I thought batch B524 — this bourbon’s immediate predecessor — boasted a punchy, moderately hot nose that showcased all of that release’s 130+ proof. Though it’s less than two proof points lower, C924 is noticeably more tempered, more subdued, and at no point did I get ethanol-induced nostril fatigue. On the nose, B524 also carried a noteworthy fresh mint note. I don’t sense anything quite as idiosyncratic with C924. While this latest batch lacks a true curveball here, the tamer nosing experience allows some of those classic, sweet-leaning notes to shine. It’s a fair tradeoff and one I didn’t mind at all.

Taste

A relatively tempered nose leads to a plenty-punchy first sip, and long time Elijah Craig fans won’t be disappointed here. It’s at once bold, oak-forward, and fruity, with dark plums, grape jelly, and more apricot lingering from the front to the back of the palate. My second sip is rich in honey-sweetened tea, the whiskey’s tannins pairing nicely with some complex and flavorful sweetness; C924 never falls into the trap of simply giving table sugar to compliment the oak. There’s ample viscosity here, perhaps not the thickest mouthfeel on a recent Elijah Craig, but it’s still got more body than the vast majority of bourbons on the market (even at cask strength). As flavors evolve, texture keeps those dark fruits on the tongue and top of mind almost the entire length of the sipping experience. Lightly roasted peanuts layer on top of that ever-present fruit; the bourbon is a bit nuttier and perhaps a little less chocolate-forward than the other batches this year. A few more sips in, and flavors shift slightly, the peanut staying put while a bready element grows right under it. Combined with the continued fruit flavors, I’m reminded of a PB&J on toasted sourdough.

Finish

I’m a little impressed with how well that jammy fruit hangs on straight through the finish. A big hit of ethanol gives one last reminder of what you’re really drinking here. After that heat, black tea and a little lemon oil round out the final act.

Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Batch C924 Rating

92/100

Recap

This latest ECBP bottling certainly didn’t reinvent the wheel, and honestly, that’s a fine way for Heaven Hill to round out the year as far as cask strength releases. We’ve got some classic Elijah Craig Barrel Proof aromas and flavors, with just a touch more nuttiness than most recent versions. (A random thought: If you enjoy both Heaven Hill and Jim Beam profiles, this might be squarely in your wheelhouse.) It’s consistent — and consistently good — bourbon, with enough intra-brand variation to keep things interesting and hunt-worthy. Happy sipping.

Reviewed On: 10-25-2024
92
POINTS
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Batch C924
We’re deep in bourbon release season, and among the limited annual drops, it’s all too easy to forget one of the industry’s heaviest hitters: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof. Each year, Kentucky-based producer Heaven Hill releases three batches of the hallmark expression, generally along a January-May-September cadence. The final batch of 2024 is dubbed C924. Here’s a quick primer on how to parse those codes:
  • The letter corresponds to the year’s release number; in this case, “C” means the year’s third release.
  • The numeral immediately after the letter refers to the release month; in this case, “9” corresponds to September.
  • The final two numerals correspond to the year; in this case, “24.”
We reviewed Batches A124 (the youngest in the line’s history) and B524 (a more standard 11 years and 2 months) earlier this year; a single point separated them on our rating scale. Batch C924 clocks in at 11 years old and 129 proof, just a tiny bit younger and tiny bit lower than May’s release. As with all Elijah Craig Barrel Proof bourbons, it’s distilled from a mash of 78 percent corn, 12 percent malted barley, and 10 percent rye. Let’s see how 2024’s final ECBP stacks up!

Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Batch C924: Stats and Availability

Elijah Craig hunters will be pleased to know the MSRP for this latest batch remains unchanged: around $75. It’s a limited national release, and due to the expression’s reputation, retail prices can sometimes hover a bit above that suggestion. (This was especially true with C923, which carried a 13+ year age statement.)

Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Batch C924 Review

As with all of VinePair’s whiskey reviews, this was tasted in a Glencairn glass and rested for at least five minutes.

Nose

Though there’s always variation between batches, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof tends to deliver a consistently quality nose; it’s one of the prototypical cask strength Kentucky straight bourbon whiskeys. Batch C924 largely delivers on that front, with classic aromas I can pick up even when pouring the whiskey: toasted oak, scraped vanilla bean, maple candy, snickerdoodle cookie, and dried apricot. After some time in the glass (rest your whiskey, folks!), burnt orange peel and tanned leather become more pronounced, while the oak turns darker and slightly more tannic in the realm of black tea. Dark cocoa dust and a little earthiness akin to damp potting soil add some additional complexity even further on. I thought batch B524 — this bourbon’s immediate predecessor — boasted a punchy, moderately hot nose that showcased all of that release’s 130+ proof. Though it’s less than two proof points lower, C924 is noticeably more tempered, more subdued, and at no point did I get ethanol-induced nostril fatigue. On the nose, B524 also carried a noteworthy fresh mint note. I don’t sense anything quite as idiosyncratic with C924. While this latest batch lacks a true curveball here, the tamer nosing experience allows some of those classic, sweet-leaning notes to shine. It’s a fair tradeoff and one I didn’t mind at all.

Taste

A relatively tempered nose leads to a plenty-punchy first sip, and long time Elijah Craig fans won’t be disappointed here. It’s at once bold, oak-forward, and fruity, with dark plums, grape jelly, and more apricot lingering from the front to the back of the palate. My second sip is rich in honey-sweetened tea, the whiskey’s tannins pairing nicely with some complex and flavorful sweetness; C924 never falls into the trap of simply giving table sugar to compliment the oak. There’s ample viscosity here, perhaps not the thickest mouthfeel on a recent Elijah Craig, but it’s still got more body than the vast majority of bourbons on the market (even at cask strength). As flavors evolve, texture keeps those dark fruits on the tongue and top of mind almost the entire length of the sipping experience. Lightly roasted peanuts layer on top of that ever-present fruit; the bourbon is a bit nuttier and perhaps a little less chocolate-forward than the other batches this year. A few more sips in, and flavors shift slightly, the peanut staying put while a bready element grows right under it. Combined with the continued fruit flavors, I’m reminded of a PB&J on toasted sourdough.

Finish

I’m a little impressed with how well that jammy fruit hangs on straight through the finish. A big hit of ethanol gives one last reminder of what you’re really drinking here. After that heat, black tea and a little lemon oil round out the final act.

Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Batch C924 Rating

92/100

Recap

This latest ECBP bottling certainly didn’t reinvent the wheel, and honestly, that’s a fine way for Heaven Hill to round out the year as far as cask strength releases. We’ve got some classic Elijah Craig Barrel Proof aromas and flavors, with just a touch more nuttiness than most recent versions. (A random thought: If you enjoy both Heaven Hill and Jim Beam profiles, this might be squarely in your wheelhouse.) It’s consistent — and consistently good — bourbon, with enough intra-brand variation to keep things interesting and hunt-worthy. Happy sipping.

Reviewed On: 10-25-2024