How to Drink Elijah Craig

Last Updated on: 25th April 2024, 05:28 pm

Discover the best way of drinking Elijah Craig Small Batch: Ideas for tasting, pairing, and enjoying this whiskey.

Written by: J Highland

Key Takeaways

• Adding a drop of water is recommended by whiskey expert Neil Coleman to enhance the sweetness and tone down the heat and peppery edge.
• Elijah Craig is suitable as a sipper but requires a bit of effort to appreciate.
• The whiskey has flavors of cinnamon, clove, and chocolate with an oak base.
• Recommended for cocktails like Bourbon Old Fashioned, Whiskey Sour, and Boulevardier.
• Pairs well with barbecue ribs, dark chocolate, blue cheese burgers, grilled steak, and spicy Cajun shrimp.
• Quick Note: Running a pub and liquor store provides me ample access to various spirits, in addition, I moonlight as a spirits distiller. I assess them using customer feedback, expert opinions and online research.

Best Way to Drink Elijah Craig

“The ideal way to enjoy Elijah Craig is by adding a drop of water, which enhances its sweetness and tones down its heat and peppery edge.”, states bourbon expert Neil Coleman.

While it’s not the smoothest bourbon out there, it just qualifies as a sipper, though it demands a bit more effort to appreciate than other bourbons in its price bracket.

As Kieran Keelan, a seasoned and well-traveled whiskey expert, puts it, “It’s decent. It has a hint of oak but lacks standout flavors. The burn is somewhat more intense than average.”

Adding Water

The method of adding water is one of experimentation: begin by tasting it straight from the initial pour, then gradually add water, drop by drop, until you achieve the flavor that best suits your palate.

On the Rocks

Adding ice to Elijah Craig cools the whiskey, making it easier to drink, but it doesn’t bring out extra flavors.

This is why I prefer adding water as my preferred method for enjoying it.

Selecting the Right Glass

For Elijah Craig, a whiskey tumbler or rocks glass is sufficient.

Snifters or Glencairn glasses are more appropriate for finer bourbons that have richer and more complex flavors.

How does it taste?

Elijah Craig’s aroma begins with oak and is complemented by traces of cinnamon, clove, and chocolate.

On tasting, the oak spice is prominent, paired with flavors of bitter chocolate, vanilla, butterscotch, and a hint of citrus.

The finish is warm and alcoholic, characterized by a spicy kick predominantly of cinnamon, black pepper, and clove.

A late sweetness of butterscotch emerges towards the end of the finish.

Elijah Craigs in Cocktails

The robust flavors of Elijah Craig render it suitable for cocktail making, yet I would initially opt for the more budget-friendly Evan Williams bourbon.

Evan Williams is produced from the same mash, bottled at the same proof, and crafted at the same distillery as Elijah Craig, the primary difference being the duration of aging.

However, here are three easy-to-make cocktail recipes for you to consider:

Bourbon Old Fashioned

• Ingredients:
  • 2 oz Bourbon
  • 1 Sugar Cube (or 1/2 oz Simple Syrup)
  • 2-3 dashes Angostura Bitters
• Instructions:
  • Place the sugar cube in an Old Fashioned glass and saturate with bitters. Add a dash of plain water.
  • Muddle the sugar and bitters until dissolved.
  • Add ice cubes and the bourbon.
  • Stir well and garnish with an orange twist or cherry.

Whiskey Sour

• Ingredients:
  • 2 oz Bourbon
  • 3/4 oz Fresh Lemon Juice
  • 1/2 oz Simple Syrup
• Instructions:
  • In a shaker filled with ice, combine the bourbon, lemon juice, and simple syrup.
  • Shake well until chilled.
  • Strain into a rocks glass filled with ice.

Boulevardier

• Ingredients:
  • 1 oz Bourbon
  • 1 oz Campari
  • 1 oz Sweet Vermouth
• Instructions:
  • Combine bourbon, Campari, and sweet vermouth in a mixing glass with ice.
  • Stir until well chilled.
  • Strain into a chilled cocktail glass or serve over ice in a rocks glass.
  • Optionally, garnish with an orange twist.

Pairing with Food

Pairing a bold Bourbon like Elijah Craig with the right foods can enhance both the drink and the meal.

Here are five food pairings that complement the strong flavors of a bold bourbon:

Barbecue Ribs

• The smoky, sweet, and tangy flavors of barbecue ribs pair wonderfully with the robust nature of bourbon. The bourbon can cut through the richness of the meat and complement the smoky taste.

Dark Chocolate

• A piece of high-quality dark chocolate, especially one with a high cocoa content, can bring out the underlying sweetness in the bourbon while providing a contrast to its strength.

Blue Cheese Burger

• A burger topped with blue cheese offers a rich, savory flavor that matches well with the intensity of bourbon. The creamy, tangy cheese balances the bourbon’s heat.

Grilled Steak

• The charred, rich flavors of a grilled steak are a natural match for bold bourbon. The meat’s robustness pairs nicely with the strong character of the whiskey.

Spicy Cajun Shrimp

• The heat and spices of Cajun shrimp can stand up to the boldness of the bourbon. The spiciness of the dish and the warmth of the bourbon complement each other for a harmonious pairing.

Preserving the Bottle

• Store it in a cool, low-light area.
• Ensure the bottle is securely closed to avoid oxidation.
• When the contents fall below 25%, it should be used quickly to preserve its taste.

About Elijah Craig

• Bottled at 94 proof (47% ABV).
• Made using a mash bill of 78% corn, 10% rye, and 12% malted barley.
• A blend of a minimum of 200 barrels, matured in Kentucky rickhouses for at least eight years.
• Originally aged for 12 years, the age statement was removed in 2016 to improve availability.
• The number of barrels used for each batch was increased from 100 to 200.
• Awarded 95 points by Wine Enthusiast.
• Titled “Best Bourbon Aged 10-12 Years” by Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible.
• Won a Double Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.