Review #254: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Rye B526

MASH BILL: 51% rye, 35% corn, 14% malted barley

AGE: 10 yr 8 mo

PROOF: 115.6

COST: $70 for 750mL bottle (South Carolina)

So far in 2026 we have not been blessed with an Elijah Craig Barrel Proof bourbon. At least one batch of ECBP winds up in my top 5 whiskies of the year every year. While I was feeling pretty confident that we would see the return of 12+ year age stated ECBP batches in this glut, we haven’t quite seen it yet. But with the recent release of the ECBP 15 yr, it seems like perhaps the strategy might be to let some of those bourbon barrels that would normally find their way into ECBP get even a bit more aged to use them in the higher age stated releases instead of ECBP releases. So instead, we have been given two ECBP Rye batches so far instead this year. I reviewed ECBPR A126 earlier this year and thought it was the best ECBPR release I’ve had so far (out of 3 batches). Now, with the ECBP bourbons, the B batches were normally sleeper batches. In fact, since C923, I would argue that the B batches have generally been the superior releases of the 3 each year. We’re now presented with the first ever B batch of ECBPR. With A126 setting the bar pretty high, it’s going to be tough to beat. Will it be as good as A126? Will the ECBPR B batches continue the trend of recent ECBP bourbon B batches and be the best of the 2026 batches? Let’s find out!

Reviewed neat in a Glencairn.

APPEARANCE: Toasted auburn color (1.6) with very slow legs and nice beading.

NOSE: Herbal spice with an underlying sweetness. A mingling of clove, ginger paste, dried fennel, and black tea combine with brown sugar simple syrup and a dash of orange extract. As I nose this more deeply the spices turn more peppery and the sweetness fades. There is an astringency that I pick up with my dominant nostril when not nosing it with both.

PALATE: Thick mouthfeel and warming on the palate. The herbal spice from the nose transfers over to the palate well. A bit more spice present with noticeable rye spice and black pepper. A lovely blend of burnt brown sugar, damp tobacco, and cinnamon begins to swell mid sip and carry me to the finish. There are some very subtle fruit notes I get late in the sip with orange peel, tart berries, and spiced figs.

FINISH: A long, dry finish and leans more earthy than the rest of the sip. White pepper, dried rye berries, seasoned oak, and a touch of brown sugar. There’s a gentle, warming hug that starts right in the center of my chest and spreads very slowly. While not too exciting, this is a very nice finish to bring a barrel proof rye whiskey to a close. It’s quiet while remaining bold and indubitably rye whiskey.

RATING: 7.7/10

OVERALL: In exploring B526, I compared it side by side with ECBPR batches A925 and A126. Of the three, this one is the truest to a rye whiskey. A925 and A126 were much sweeter and more bourbon like – as some would say, “a bourbon drinker’s rye whiskey.” But B525 has a lovely mix of front and center herbal and spice notes and a subtle support from some brown sugar and fruit notes. While it wasn’t my favorite of the standard barrel proof batch releases yet, I’m still smitten by it and have really been enjoying this bottle. True to Elijah Craig Barrel Proof, you get plenty of barrel character in this pour, a warming spice, but even at barrel proof never so much heat that I feel like I need to dilute it myself.

I really feel like these ECBP Rye batches have continued to impress in the first 12 months of it being a new staple. That said, while these ECBPR batches have been delicious and fun to explore as a new offering, I’m still saddened by the fact we haven’t seen an ECBP bourbon release since September 2025. We’re coming up on a full year soon…I hope Heaven Hill has a bombshell in store for us in the back half of this year.

1 | Disgusting | see my 1/10 ratings

2 | Poor | see my 2/10 ratings

3 | Bad | see my 3/10 ratings

4 | Sub-par | see my 4/10 ratings

5 | Good | see my 5/10 ratings

6 | Very Good | see my 6/10 ratings

7 | Great | see my 7/10 ratings

8 | Excellent | see my 8/10 ratings

9 | Incredible | see my 9/10 ratings

10 | Perfect | see my 10/10 ratings