Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Batch B523 124.2 Proof

Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Batch B523 124.2 Proof. Heaven Hill Distillery, Bardstown, Kentucky — the May 2023 release of Heaven Hill's three-times-annual cask strength bourbon, bottled at 124.2 proof from barrels aged to the natural cask strength without water reduction or chill filtration — the second Barrel Proof release of 2023, following A123 in January and preceding C923 in September.

B523 denotes the May (B batch) 2023 release. At 124.2 proof, B523 sits 1.4 proof points below the January A123 release from the same year — a slight moderation that reflects the different barrel selection for the May pull, drawn from barrels at the end of spring's warming cycle rather than winter's contraction. The slight proof decrease from A123 to B523 within the same 2023 vintage year illustrates how barrel selection timing within a single year can produce meaningful proof differences between sequential batches.

The caramel, dark chocolate, and toasted oak character in B523 reflect the core Elijah Craig Barrel Proof profile that Heaven Hill's upper rick house aging and new charred American oak barrel program consistently produces. Rich, complex, and fully unfiltered — the May 2023 specific expression of the annual Barrel Proof program. Now a back vintage batch with zero remaining inventory.

Tasting Notes

• Nose: Rich caramel, dark chocolate, and toasted oak at 124.2 proof. Complex and concentrated with the depth that Heaven Hill's upper rick house program consistently produces in its barrel proof selections.
• Palate: A symphony of caramel, dark chocolate, and toasted oak with vanilla and baking spice. The 124.2 proof delivers the full intensity of the barrel's aging concentration without water addition or chill filtration.
• Finish: Long and deeply satisfying with oak, spice, and caramel persisting through a warm, sustained close. The unfiltered character means the finish carries the full range of natural esters and flavor compounds from barrel to bottle.

Specs

• Distillery: Heaven Hill Distillery, Bardstown, Kentucky
• Mash Bill: 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley
• Batch: B523 — May 2023 release
• ABV: 62.1% (124.2 Proof)
• Filtration: Non-chill filtered; no water reduction
• Size: 750ml

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Frequently Asked Questions

• What does B523 mean? B = May batch, 5 = May (fifth month), 23 = 2023. The second Elijah Craig Barrel Proof release of 2023, following A123 in January and preceding C923 in September.
• How does B523 compare to A123 from the same year? A123 (January 2023) was bottled at 125.6 proof; B523 (May 2023) at 124.2 proof — a 1.4 proof point difference from different barrel selections within the same year. Same production standard, different barrel pools, different spring vs winter pull timing.
• Is B523 still available? Currently out of stock. B523 is the May 2023 back vintage. Check Wooden Cork for current active Barrel Proof batches including C924.