Elijah Craig Smal Batch has been called "Best of the Best." We agree.
Heaven Hill Distillers is unique. They are one of the oldest and largest Bourbon distillers in the world, they have the second largest standing inventory of aging Bourbon, and they have grown to become the seventh largest supplier of spirits in the US. BUT… they are still family owned. In fact, they are the only family-owned production house left in Kentucky. God bless the Shapira family! The spirit brands owned and controlled by Heaven Hill includes Evan Williams, Elijah Craig, and their namesake Heaven Hill, and many dozens more.
If you are already a fan of Elijah Craig Bourbon — and who isn’t — you might already know that the Small Batch product was released in early 2016 as a non-age-statement (NAS) replacement for the Elijah Craig 12 year old. Small Batch is a mix of genuine Elijah Craig aged between 8 to 12 years and blended to taste. Of course they did this to meet demand, and yes the "average age" is now a bit younger. But don’t let the NAS slow you down. Seriously… it’s delicious, 47% ABV, and in its two short years it has won double-gold medals and been named "Best of the Best" and "Best Bourbon"… twice.
SmartAss Corner:
The humongous Heaven Hill warehouses look like like they are being swallowed by "The Thing." But the creeping black mildew climbing the sides of the buildings is "Baudoinia Compniacensis" — an alcohol-loving fungus common to distilleries, liquor warehouses, and bakeries that feeds on "the angels share" evaporating from the casks.