Elijah Craig Barrel Proof B521

Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Batch B521. Heaven Hill Distillery, Bardstown, Kentucky — the May 2021 release of Heaven Hill's three-times-annual cask strength bourbon, bottled at 118.2 proof from 12-year-old barrels without water reduction or chill filtration — the second of three Elijah Craig Barrel Proof releases in 2021, following A521 in January and preceding C521 in September.

B521 denotes the May (B batch) 2021 release — the second Elijah Craig Barrel Proof of that year, pulled from barrels at the end of spring's warming cycle. At 118.2 proof, B521 is among the more accessible proofs in the Barrel Proof range, lower than some C batches which can reach 130+ proof after a full Kentucky summer of heat extraction. The 12-year age statement — which Heaven Hill maintained consistently across this era of Barrel Proof production before transitioning to variable age statements in later releases — means these barrels entered the program in 2009 and spent over a decade cycling through Heaven Hill's upper rick house floors.

Non-chill filtered and uncut: the 118.2 proof is exactly what these 12-year barrels produced. Every batch of Elijah Craig Barrel Proof creates variance in proof because every barrel ages differently — B521's 118.2 proof reflects the specific evaporative conditions of the barrels selected for this May 2021 release. Now a back vintage with zero inventory — a collector's batch for those tracking the expression across its annual release history.

Tasting Notes

• Nose: Rich and integrated — the 12-year age statement and spring pull creating a more settled aromatic profile than peak-summer C batches. Caramel, vanilla, and toasted oak with baking spice at 118.2 proof.
• Palate: Full-bodied with the characteristic Elijah Craig Barrel Proof caramel and vanilla depth from 12 years of Heaven Hill upper rick house aging. The 118.2 proof delivers intensity while remaining more immediately approachable than higher-proof batches in the same vintage year.
• Finish: Long and warming with oak spice and caramel persisting through a clean close. The 12-year age sustains the finish with depth that shorter-aged barrel proof bourbons cannot match.

Specs

• Distillery: Heaven Hill Distillery, Bardstown, Kentucky
• Mash Bill: 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley
• Batch: B521 — May 2021 release
• Age: 12 years
• ABV: 59.1% (118.2 Proof)
• Filtration: Non-chill filtered; no water reduction
• Size: 750ml

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Frequently Asked Questions

• What does B521 mean? B = May batch, 5 = May (fifth month), 21 = 2021. Heaven Hill releases Elijah Craig Barrel Proof three times per year: A batch in January, B batch in May, C batch in September.
• Why is B521 at 118.2 proof when other batches are higher? Proof varies batch to batch based on the specific barrels selected and their evaporative history. B521's 118.2 proof reflects the May 2021 barrel selection — lower than some C batches from the same year, which saw more alcohol concentration from summer heat extraction. Lower proof within the range typically means more immediate accessibility without water addition.
• Is B521 still available? Currently out of stock. B521 is the May 2021 batch — a back vintage that is no longer being produced. Check current availability at Wooden Cork for active Barrel Proof batches.