Episode 131 - Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Rye A925

Send a text

A rye that drinks like a bourbon doesn’t come along every day. We tracked down the Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Rye that snagged Whiskey Advocate’s top spot and put it through a full, honest taste test—then geeked out on why this release hits different. Think 12 years and 3 months in wood, 108 proof, and a mashbill that leans Heaven Hill classic. On the nose we found roasted nuts and cocoa instead of mint. On the palate it’s balanced and sweet-leaning—brown sugar, chocolate, seasoned oak—with a finish that lands like peppered steak: savory, tidy, and memorable without the burn.

We also decode the A-B-C batch cadence and what A925 means for collectors, plus why barrel proof bottlings give a brand real credibility with serious whiskey drinkers. The conversation widens to the shifting whiskey market: fewer flashy new SKUs, more well-aged stock finally coming of age. That context matters, because age at a fair price is rare, and this bottle delivers a compelling value proposition. If you’ve avoided rye because of mint and red-hot spice, this pour might change your mind; if you’re a rye diehard, it offers nuance over noise and proof that patience shows in the glass.

If you love whiskey that balances character with approachability, hit play and pour along. Subscribe, rate, and leave a review with your score—did this rye win you over or are you still team bourbon?