Elijah Craig 18-Year
Overall Score: 7/10
Overall Value: 2.5/5
Distillery: Elijah Craig Distillery Co. (Heaven Hill)
Classification: Straight Bourbon
Company: Elijah Craig Distillery Co. (Heaven Hill)
Release Date: Ongoing
Proof: 90
Age: 18-Year
Color: Red Copper
MSRP: $190 (2025)
Mashbill: 78% Corn, 12% Malted Barley, 10% Rye
The Barrel Bros’ Review
Elijah Craig 18-Year is a single barrel bourbon that proudly wears its age—and for better or worse, it doesn’t hold back.
The nose is easily one of the standout aspects of this bourbon. Rich and sweet, it opens with raspberry jam, honey, and red fruit that give it a vibrant, almost dessert-like quality. Layers of caramel, vanilla, and toasted marshmallow provide that classic Heaven Hill depth.
However, the oak presence is unmistakable and sometimes overshadows the fruitier highlights. There's even a hint of nuttiness and, on occasion, a floral sharpness that reminds one of gin.
This bourbon greets the palate with a light, oily mouthfeel that coats well. There's a quick flash of fruit and vanilla, but that quickly gives way to its core identity: oak. A dry, sharp oak dominates the experience, with very little sweetness to soften the blow. While there are moments of nuance—like faint spice or earthy undertones—this is not a pour for someone seeking a balanced or sweet profile. Some tasters even detect a vodka-like sharpness, which adds an unusual twist.
The finish is a continuation of the theme. Vanilla ice cream on a wafer cone might briefly appear, but for the most part, it leans dry and tannic. The oak lingers aggressively, leaving a slightly bitter aftertaste that builds sip after sip.
Elijah Craig 18-Year is a bourbon that showcases what nearly two decades in oak can do. If you’re an oak lover, this might be your dream pour. But for those who prefer a more balanced bourbon or something with more fruit and sweetness, this may fall flat.
Given the current MSRP, and even more so with the inflated sale price on secondary markets, this bottle is tough to justify unless you’re fully committed to the oak-forward profile. A fascinating pour to review, but probably not a rebuy for those chasing variety or complexity.
If you’re looking for specific notes from our Barrel Bros, read their individual reviews below!
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Individual Reviews
The Rye Guy Says
Score: 7/10
Value: 3/5
THE NOSE:
Just a fantastic nose. It's sweet, fruity, and has depth.
On the fruity side I get notes of raspberry jam, but it's quickly followed by caramel, vanilla, and other dark sugar profiles like toasted marshmallow.
There is a subtle oakiness to it that nearly dips into the nutty profile.
THE TASTE:
The mouthfeel is light, oily and coats the mouth evenly. The palate isn’t as sweet as the nose with the oak from the 18 year age statement being to primarily profile.
It still remains mostly subdued though. I don't typically go into much depth when I get oaky profiles but this one has some enjoyable nuance to it.
There are also some alcohol notes here, almost vodka-like and in some instances almost floral like gin.
THE FINISH:
The finish provides a bit of fruitiness, but mostly reminds me of vanilla ice cream from a wafer cone.
After multiple sips the oak really starts to accumulate and dries the mouth.
BUY OR PASS?
I would imagine that this is an oak lover's dream. It’s not too punchy and certainly carries some nuances and depth to it. However, as someone who is impartial at best to a mostly oak profile this pour wasn't super impressive.
With the difficulty finding this bottle to buy and the price point I probably wouldn't bother with another.
The Hunter Says
Score: 7/10
Value: 2/5
THE NOSE:
The nose starts off pretty sweet, with notes of honey and red fruit popping out. When those fruity notes shine through, it’s really pleasant and bright.
But the oak is strong, and sometimes it takes over completely.
When that happens, it loses a bit of the charm for me.
THE TASTE:
Right up front, the palate feels sweet—there’s a flash of fruitiness and maybe some vanilla.
But then it quickly turns into oak, oak, and more oak.
It’s sharp, dry oak that kind of overwhelms everything else.
THE FINISH:
The finish is a bit of a mixed bag. Sometimes you get a soft, sweet end to the sip, but more often it’s just more heavy oak.
And the longer it sits, the more a dry, bitter oak flavor lingers—something I’m not a big fan of.
BUY OR PASS?
This is definitely a bourbon with presence, and you can tell it’s been aging a long time. But for me, 18 years is just too much oak.
If you're someone who enjoys bold, woody flavors and doesn’t mind some bitterness, this could be right up your alley. But for my taste, it leans too far into the barrel.
