Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Batch A123 125.6 Proof

Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Batch A123 125.6 Proof. Heaven Hill Distillery, Bardstown, Kentucky — the January 2023 release of Heaven Hill's three-times-annual cask strength bourbon, bottled at 125.6 proof from 12-year-old barrels without water reduction or chill filtration — the first Barrel Proof release of 2023, preceding B523 in May and C923 in September.

A123 denotes the January (A batch) 2023 release. At 125.6 proof — notably higher than A122's 120.8 proof from the previous January — A123 reflects a barrel selection with greater alcohol concentration, suggesting the 2023 January barrels experienced more net evaporation toward alcohol retention than the 2022 selection. The year-over-year proof difference between A122 (120.8) and A123 (125.6) illustrates exactly the batch variance that makes the Elijah Craig Barrel Proof program compelling to collectors: same distillery, same mash bill, same A-batch timing — but different years, different barrels, 4.8 proof points of difference.

The 12-year age statement was maintained consistently through this era of Elijah Craig Barrel Proof production. Barrels entered in 2011 and pulled in January 2023 spent 12 years cycling through Heaven Hill's upper rick house floors, accumulating the caramel, vanilla, oak depth, and dark fruit complexity that defines the Barrel Proof style at this age point. Now a back vintage batch.

Tasting Notes

• Nose: Rich caramel and vanilla with toasted oak and dark fruit from the 12-year aging. At 125.6 proof the aromatics carry force — allow a few minutes in the glass to open fully before evaluating.
• Palate: Dark chocolate, toasted oak, caramel, and baking spice. The 125.6 proof delivers the full concentration of 12-year Heaven Hill upper rick house aging at cask intensity. Complex and layered.
• Finish: Long and warming with lingering spice and caramel. The 12-year age creates sustained depth that shorter-aged barrel proof releases cannot match.

Specs

• Distillery: Heaven Hill Distillery, Bardstown, Kentucky
• Mash Bill: 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley
• Batch: A123 — January 2023 release
• Age: 12 years
• ABV: 62.8% (125.6 Proof)
• Filtration: Non-chill filtered; no water reduction
• Size: 750ml

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Frequently Asked Questions

• What does A123 mean? A = January batch, 1 = January (first month), 23 = 2023. The first Elijah Craig Barrel Proof release of 2023, preceding B523 in May and C923 in September.
• Why is A123 at 125.6 proof vs A122's 120.8? Proof varies year to year based on the specific barrels selected. A123's barrels experienced different evaporative conditions over their 12 years than A122's barrels did — producing a higher natural proof at bottling. The 4.8 proof point difference between the two January batches illustrates exactly the batch variance that defines the Barrel Proof program.
• Is A123 still available? Currently out of stock. A123 is the January 2023 back vintage. Check Wooden Cork for current active Barrel Proof batches.