Elijah Craig Single Barrel Selections

OHLQ "#4" vs. COWS "Rona Lisa"

By Not Masters of Malt

March 22^nd, 2021

BEHIND THE BOTTLE:

It is going to be a slightly new format this week with our first head to head battle! We were lucky enough to score two separate barrel picks of Elijah Craig Small Batch both from Central Ohio. So we thought why not put them head to head and see who comes out on top? The first bottle was picked by the fine folks at OHLQ, #4 which was one of several barrels released to the general public. The second was picked by Eric Smith and the team at the Central Ohio Whiskey Society "COWS" and was only available through a lottery that sold out in roughly five minutes. Both picks are bottled at 94 Proof which offers an excellent opportunity to split hairs, test the senses, and see who comes out on top!

FROM THE DISTILLER...

Notes from Heaven Hill:

The award-winning Bourbon that started it all. Our signature Small Batch owes its distinctive warm spice & subtle smoke flavor to Level 3 charred oak barrels. Handcrafted by our Master Distillers, it’s a favorite of Bourbon connoisseurs and casual whiskey fans alike.

OHLQ #4:

AGE – 9 years

BARREL LOCATION – Bardstown Rickhouse V, 6th Floor

COWS Rona Lisa:

AGE – 8 years

BARREL LOCATION – Rickhouse M, 4th Floor

HEAD TO HEAD:

Nose:

OHLQ - Chocolate cherry cordials and vanilla dominate the nose along with some more traditional spice fluttering in at the end. What is a bit of an oddity is that it is missing any of the nutty profile that is associated with other Heaven Hill offerings.

COWS - Strong notes of deep brown sugar and caramel are the first to come through followed quickly by hints of cinnamon and a type of cherry cola. Delightfully rich and complex despite the relatively low proof.

Palate:

OHLQ - All of the notes we picked up on the nose shine through to the palate. The tongue is dominated by chocolate covered cherries and maybe a hint of vanilla with the rest conspicuously absent.

COWS - It starts with a bit of traditional Heaven Hill profile, roasted nuts, a bit of cherries and cacao and finishes with notes of toffee and buttery caramel on the back of the tongue. There is a bunch more complexity than at first blush and I was really impressed how well the notes held up over the course of multiple tastings.

Finish:

OHLQ - A little thin, definitely hindered by being proofed down from the barrel. The chocolate fades to the background and is replaced by vanilla cherry coke.

COWS - Nice and oily, notes of tobacco and leather are present along with some honey roasted peanuts and very dark chocolate nibs.

Winner: COWS "Rona Lisa"

FINAL VERDICT:

To be honest there are no losers here. Both barrel picks were a little over $30.00 out the door and I wouldn't hesitate to pick any of these up again. With both selections being proofed down (I don't believe that Heaven Hill allows barrel proof picks), it was really nice to be able to put both bottles head to head to try and draw out the complexities and test the senses.

In end it may be a little closer than the review suggests, but it's hard to argue that the Central Ohio Whiskey Society pick was just more complex than the Ohio Liquor pick. I can only imagine what it would be liked sampled at barrel strength!