Elijah Craig

Elijah Craig was a Baptist preacher and distiller credited by legend with first aging whiskey in charred oak barrels, the step that makes bourbon bourbon. Whether history or myth, the name now fronts Heaven Hill's celebrated small batch line, which delivers classic charred-oak character worthy of the story.

Three batches release yearly, coded by letter and date: A, B, and C for the January, May, and September releases, followed by digits for month and year, so C924 means the third batch of September 2024. Each batch varies in proof and character, and enthusiasts track favorites by code, which our listings state clearly.

For proof chasers, absolutely: Barrel Proof is uncut, unfiltered, 12-year bourbon that regularly rivals allocated unicorns at a fraction of the chase, and it's won top whiskey honors outright. Small Batch remains one of bourbon's great everyday values. Owning both covers weeknights and occasions.

The 18 Year Single Barrel is Heaven Hill's showcase of extra-aged elegance, oak-forward and refined, while the scarcer 23 Year sits among the oldest age-stated bourbons regularly released. Both are allocated and collectible, and both demonstrate what patient Kentucky aging can achieve.

Small Batch for a reliable crowd-pleaser, Toasted Barrel for the drinker who's tried everything, Barrel Proof for the enthusiast, and the 18 Year when the occasion is significant. Every tier carries the same heritage story, which makes the gift easy to tell as well as give.