Elijah Craig Just Dropped an Affordable New Whiskey Aged in a Completely Novel Way

Elijah Craig is among the most familiar names in American whiskey. For good reason, too. He isn’t some fictional folk hero, but an actual historical figure from the 18th century who helped pioneer bourbon as we know it today. 

In 1789, Craig became the first craftsman to use charred oak barrels for aging his spirit. Today, his eponymous brand continues that tradition of cooperage innovation with the introduction of the new Elijah Craig Toasted Rye—and we’re the first ones to crack open the $55 bottle.

As soon as we poured a measure of the 94-proof liquid into a snifter, a pronounced nuttiness emerged from its copper-toned body. The label reads toasted, but these notes are all roasted: chestnuts, walnuts, and those hot candied almonds sold on city sidewalks. In the sip is the caraway spice you’d expect from the rye category, but here it's enveloped in a creamy coating of milk chocolate that firms up the finish.

It’s a rather unique statement of rye that required a new aging process to make it happen. Fully matured Elijah Craig Straight Rye (owning a mashbill of 51 percent rye, 35 percent corn and 14 percent malted barley) was dumped at barrel proof into new, custom toasted oak casks. 

That finishing vessel was slow-cooked at a lower temperature than the industry standard, prior to a flash-charring, which helped impart those softer milk chocolate characteristics into the final product. Unlike most other finished whiskies on shelves today, the latest from Elijah Craig retains the designation of “Kentucky straight rye,” since the barrels it aged in were both new and—technically—charred.

"From the moment our tasting panel tried Elijah Craig Toasted Rye through our ongoing innovation process, we knew this expression was going to be special," said Max Stefka, product director for Elijah Craig. "The custom toasted barrel from our partners at Independent Stave Company takes an already world-class whiskey and adds in a dessert-like bouquet of flavors.”

Don't expect anything less from the brand. After all, Elijah Craig is one of the premier labels to hail from the legendary Heaven Hill Distillery in Bardstown, KY. And that operation just received recognition as the most-awarded U.S. distillery ever at the prestigious San Francisco World Spirits Competition. With its latest line extension, the whiskey maker might soon have another prize to place atop the pile. 

Elijah Craig Toasted Rye arrives on shelves later this July.

Related: 16 Best Rye Whiskeys to Spice Up a Sazerac or Manhattan