With the sad, sad news that the age statement had been removed from Elijah Craig, that left a lot of bourbon drinkers at a loss. Why? because Elijah Craig is, or had been, their go-to everyday bourbon. And why wouldn’t it be? It’s affordable (around $30), was generously aged and age stated at 12 years, and was a great sip that could be found in virtually every liquor store in America.
Now, who knows? It won’t be 12 years old anymore, and the batch size has doubled, meaning it cannot help but change in flavor profile. Now that we won’t explicitly know how old the whiskey in the bottle is, Elijah Craig has gone from a largely unique item in the marketplace to just another label. In a lot of ways, EC drinkers feel betrayed by Heaven Hill with these new changes, and want to find a new go-to.
To really take the place of Elijah Craig, we should examine what makes the old Elijah Craig what it was:
- Small Batch. Batched bourbons are considerably more consistent than single barrel bourbons. An everyday bourbon should be consistent.
- Age. Elijah Craig was 12 years old. This is really about the maximum age most rye-based bourbons should be bottled at. Even the Elijah Craig single barrel variants get progressively worse with each older release (one of the 18 year bottlings was excellent). So some solid age is a good start, but we’re not looking for something beyond 12 years.
- Price. At $30, Elijah Craig was within the grasp of most consumers. It didn’t break the bank.
- Availability. You could find it anywhere. Nearly any liquor store with a bourbon shelf carries Elijah Craig.
- Proof. Elijah Craig is an easily approachable 94 proof.
So what’s a bourbon geek to do? Where do the legions of Elijah Craig fans turn?
Here’s our suggestions along with how well each fits into the requirements above.
We haven’t tasted the non-age stated version of Elijah Craig yet, but it may be the closest in flavor profile to the old option. But this post is really for those with a deep feeling of betrayal or disappointment in the changes to their brand and want to make a change. Plus, we’re not trying to replicate the flavor of Elijah Craig, per say, just help these folks find a new everyday bourbon. So we won’t include it on the list.
Knob Creek:
Small Batch: Knob Creek, like Elijah Craig, is a small batch bourbon. Fit: EXCELLENT
Age: It’s age stated at 9 years (for now), making it amongst the last of the “everyday” bourbons to be aged stated. Fit: FAIR
Price: Under $30. Verdict: GOOD
Availability: It’s one of the more widespread and available premium bourbons on the market. Fit: EXCELLENT
Proof: A stout 100 proof, this isn’t a mouth burner, but it’s going to pack more punch than Elijah Craig. Fit: GOOD
Viability as a replacement for Elijah Craig: VERY GOOD
Buffalo Trace:
Small Batch/Single Barrel: A small Batch bourbon, we dont’ really know the batch size, but it’s consistent as anything on the market. Fit: EXCELLENT
Age: Not age stated, but usually around 9 years, this is decently aged. Fit: GOOD
Price: Around $25, this is actually cheaper than Elijah Craig in most markets. Fit: EXCELLENT
Availability: This is a commonly available bourbon, though there have been runs on all Buffalo Trace prodcuts in some areas over the past couple of years. Fit: GOOD
Proof: At 90 proof, this is pretty comparable to Elijah Craig. Fit: GOOD
Viability as a replacement for Elijah Craig: GOOD
Four Roses Small Batch:
Small Batch/Single Barrel: Small Batch, as the name suggests. Fit: EXCELLENT
Age: Not Stated, but probably between 4 and 6 years. Fit: POOR
Price: Under $30. Fit: EXCELLENT
Availability: Pretty easy to fuind at any good liquor store. Fit: GOOD
Proof: 90 proof. Fit: GOOD
Viability as a replacement for Elijah Craig: FAIR
Old Forester Signature:
Small Batch/Single Barrel: This is a batched product, though I would guess “Small batch” is a stretch. Still, it is very consistent. Fit: GOOD
Age: Not Stated. This is a young bourbon, likely in the 4 year range. Fit: POOR
Price: In the low $20 range, this is really affordable. Fit: EXCELLENT
Availability: Not as easy to find as others, it’s still not a rare bourbon. Fit: GOOD
Proof: 100 Proof. Not a harsh bourbon by any means, but it will drink hotter than Elijah Craig. Fit: FAIR
Viability as a replacement for Elijah Craig: FAIR
Woodford Reserve:
Small Batch/Single Barrel: Small Batch. Fit: EXCELLENT
Age: Not Stated, but likely 5-7 years. Fit: POOR
Price: The highest on the list, it can range into the $40s. Fit: POOR
Availability: For a premium, it’s likely one of the easiest to find. Fit: GOOD
Proof: 90 proof. Fit: GOOD
Viability as a replacement for Elijah Craig: FAIR
Old Grand-Dad 114:
Small Batch/Single Barrel: Batched, likely large batch. Fit: FAIR
Age: Not age stated. Likely around 4 years. Fit: POOR
Price: Well under $30. Fit: EXCELLENT
Availability: A bit harder to find, it isn’t rare, but you’ll need to find a store with a decent selection. Fit: GOOD
Proof: 114. Fit: POOR
Viability as a replacement for Elijah Craig: FAIR
Eagle Rare:
Small Batch/Single Barrel: Small Batch. Fit: EXCELLENT
Age: 10 years (for now.) Fit: VERY GOOD
Price: Around $30. Fit: EXCELLENT
Availability: You may not find it at a drug store, but any well stocked liquor store shold have it, barring a run on Buffalo Trace. Fit: GOOD
Proof: 90 Proof. Fit: GOOD
Viability as a replacement for Elijah Craig: VERY GOOD
EDIT: Not sure how I forgot it, but:
Evan Williams Single Barrel Vintage
Small Batch/Single Barrel: Single Barrel. Fit: POOR
Age: 9-10 years (for now.) Fit: VERY GOOD
Price: Around $25. Fit: EXCELLENT
Availability: Pretty available everywhere, and likely a good reason Elijah Craig is removing their age statement. These come from the same mash as Elijah Craig, and are around 9-10 years old (depending on the vintage. This line seems to have grown quite a bit in popularity recently, and that likely means a good number of barrels in that 9 year range have been diverted from further aging to make Evan Williams Single Barrel. Fit: EXCELLENT
Proof: 86 Proof. Fit: POOR
Viability as a replacement for Elijah Craig: VERY GOOD
That really leaves three contenders- Evan Williams Single Barrel, Eagle Rare, and Knob Creek. None of them are perfect, but they’re both comparable on paper. In terms of flavor, Knob Creek is obviously a little on the yeasty side, as are most Jim Beam products, but has a heavier barrel profile, which is more akin to Heaven Hill. Eagle Rare, while not the flavor bomb it used to be, is still a good sip. It’s a muted version of an aged Buffalo Trace product, where the barrel flavors are certainly muted, and the caramel flavors from Buffalo Trace are present, though they don’t “pop” as they did in the single barrel days. Buffalo Trace is a good option, but the lack of any age statement means there’s no guarantee there. It’s a little “brighter” flavored than Eagle Rare, with a touch less barrel char on the profile. Evan Williams should be very close to the Elijah Craig ballpark, maybe the best option, given its common DNA. There will be some variability from bottle to bottle, but this line has generally been well received and very tasty.
Another option for those in the Kentucky area and not totally soured on Heaven Hill is the Heaven Hill 6 Year Bottled in Bond. It’s under $15, and the flavor profile is very close to the old Elijah Craig, even managing to be extremely barrel-forward in terms of taste.
EDIT #2: Added at the suggestion of “Keith” in our Comments section below:
Wild Turkey Russell’s Reserve 10 Year
Batch/Single Barrel: Small Batch. Fit: EXCELLENT
Age: 10 Years. Stated proudly on the label. Fit: VERY GOOD
Price: $34.99. Fit: VERY GOOD
Availability: Not as common as Elijah Craig, but not terribly difficult to find in more decent liquor stores. Fit: GOOD
Proof: 90º. Fit: VERY GOOD
Viability as a replacement for Elijah Craig: VERY GOOD
Bill's Blog 
You are looking at this all wrong. The absolute number 1 item to compare is TASTE. The price, batch size, blah blah blah is all less important.
How about comparing the Elijah Craig 12yo and the new stuff and see how they compare. You might not need to switch to anything else.
I love Elijah Craig, but dislike Buffalo Trace because it is a completely different taste profile. Similar batch size or age are meaningless to compare since the taste is so different.
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I did mention that in the post. If you’re just hoping to replicate the taste, your only hope is that the flavor doesn’t change too much, or to find another Heaven Hill product, like Evan Wms Single Barrel (which I can’t believe I left off the post…I edited it to include EWSB), or the 6 year BiB, that is at least in the same ballpark. But you will never exactly replicate the taste of a 12 year old Heaven Hill small batch bourbon at 94 proof. If you’re pissed off at Heaven Hill and want another consistent, easy drinking, decently aged, tasty bourbon (as quite a few people who have reached out to us seem to be), the list is a place to start, and that’s who it’s aimed at.
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So Bill, it sounds like you’re that guy in the movie Network… I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take it anymore! EC12 must’ve been your go to. But after reading Tom Fischer’s blog, I think you’re going to be mad for awhile. I plan to hit my store for what’s left of the bottles that still carry the statement. And I’ll probably grab some Knob Creek and Eagle Rare. Thanks for the suggestions. I know you are close to all of this and have every right to howl at Heaven Hill. But all I care about down here in Texas is what tastes the best for a reasonable price. Cheers!
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I’m disappointed, but I’m not angry. I love(d) Elijah Craig for what it was, but if you strip that out, it’s just another bourbon…ad there are LOTS of good bourbons for prices in that range.
I probably had 15 messages of readers who are royally pissed, though. So that’s who the post was geared towards.
Those who just wantto find that flavor again should try the new Elijah Craig, or hunt Heaven Hill offerings (Evan Williams, Evan Williams Vintage Single Barrel, 1783, Heaven Hill 6 yr/6 yr Bottled in Bond, etc)
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I don’t think anyone anticipated this boom 12 years ago. The reality is we can’t put barrels in a time machine. This is all a result of a market demand out of control. You can only hope HH started ramping production up 4 years ago and we can laugh about it over some EC12 in 8 years.
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Yes, but they’re not doing this to meet demand, they specifically said they’re doing it to GROW demand.
This is on the heels of them shouting to the rooftops less than a year ago that the age statement wasn’t going away, just being moved to the back of the bottle. That was duplicitous. It’s pissed off a lot of drinkers.
I have plenty of bourbons I’m happy to drink- including Evan Williams Single Barrel. Take away what makes it unique, and Elijah Craig has a really hard time competing with other labels- even in house, that are tasty and boast the same credentials (or lack thereof).
From a business standpoint, I think they’re making a mistake. Is the extra 4% alcohol a reason to buy what will, at best, be an 8 year old Elijah Craig for $30 when $22 gets you an 8 or even 9 year Evan Williams Single Barrel?
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Great point. A big risk for them… alienating their base. Would you have still grabbed it as a 12 had they jacked the price up and allocated like they said they were going to do? That would mean $40-50 a bottle first year and follow the Pappys of the world up the scale.
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there’s obviously a breaking point there. ultimately, I’d rather see it continue on as elijah craig than something lesser with the elijah craig label.
I’d rather they divert some EWSB barrels to age for a few more years instead
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What about Wild Turkey Russell’s Reserve as an alternative? Seems like it could fit using your criteria.
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Excellent suggestion! Added to the list.
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What about Wild Turkey Russell’s Reserve as an alternative? Seems to fit the bill as far as your stated criteria.
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sure! wild turkey is putting out a lot of great bourbon these days.
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Heaven Hill’s big mistake was saying less than a year ago, we will not drop the age statement.
They pissed off all the bourbon geeks. I don’t think EC is a bourbon your average drinker will pick up on a whim. The geeks bought it often because of that age statement.
Now HH is hoping by taking the age statement off, they can replace the geeks with average drinkers?
I have to imagine we are going to start see EC commercials while watching guy centric programming or sports.
I just don’t see your average JD or Jim Beam purchaser switching to EC.
Now that they can make more EC NAS, I will be looking for a price drop. But I doubt I will see one.
That means more FR small batch and Knob Creek for me.
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I think most of the “anger” does stem from their steadfast denial less than a year ago that this was happening. that’s duplicitous.
The idea that this “will be” an 8-12 year bourbon is silly anyway. The farther they get from that 12 year statement, the lower the percentage of 12 year bourbon that will be in that mix will be- especially if they’re “Growing the brand.” Every barrel of 8 year they dump into it is a barrel that will no longer continue to age for 4 more years. So in 4 years, there will be even fewer 12 year old barrels to blend into it. The profile IS going to change- probably less at first and more dramatically as time passes.
I’m not really angry at them- I have plenty of everyday bourbons I can reach for that are and aren’t age stated. I’m just disappointed in their decision, and think their duplicitousness was unwarranted and out of character for Heaven Hill.
Again, I’m not “advocating” that anyone replace it as their everyday go-to. This post was a response to the inquiries I got asking for suggestions for an alternative.
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Hit the jackpot. My county liquor store was closed for 3 days because of the snow storm. They re-opened today and I managed to snag four 1.75 liter bottles of Elijah Craig with the 12 yr stamped in red.
I tried a few different bourbons last night after reading this article. The rest of the Heaven Hill line doesn’t have that big bold sweetness up front.
I love my Wild Turkey and Russell’s Reserve so EC may sadly get pushed back to an occasional substitute instead of an everyday dram.
Bill: you may want to try to find a non rye mash bourbon with a bold sweet start and add small bit of Rittenhouse to add the rye punch. It makes me sad that I’m even suggesting such a thing!!! Maybe we will be surprised and the non age statement EC will be close. For now I will cling to the stash I just picked up and some 750 ml bottles I was already hoarding.
Sad….just sad.
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Harlan Wheatley stated in “How the best is done…Kentucky Bourbon Trail” that Buffalo Trace was 40 barrels or less.
I think eagle rare is an amazing bourbon for its price.
Glad I bought a case of 1.75’s with the big red 12 in June.
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How about McKenna 10 year BIB?
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Definitely a good choice
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