By: Miles Philippe | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: 1/9/2020 | Send Email I tasted this side by side with the C919 batch, and I must admit that I'm surprised that I liked this one more at the end of the day. Without water, this comes across as rather harsh and sharp mistress, with a full "in your face" attitude. But with water...a refined lady of class and beauty; lively and ready to dance the night away. Dried oak shavings, cedar, and dried orange peel are the biggest notes for me, followed by some cinnamon, dried yellow flowers, and a touch of vanilla. Spices and a slight note of salinity reside in the finish. This is a more subtle and elegant bourbon than I normally see...a truly unique and wonderful expression that leaves me in a contemplative mood.

By: Stefanie Juelsgaard | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: 1/9/2020 | Send Email How can a brand that has been around for more than two centuries always seem to hit the fantastic mark every single time with their whiskeys? I wish I had their secret, but I'll settle with enjoying the fruits of their labor. Twelve year old non-chill filtered Bourbon for $60 is a deal I'll take all day long. Rich and supple, but not without a strong kick from the 61.1% EtOH. If you can bear to blend this one, I think it would make a pretty killer Manhattan.

By: Andrew Whiteley | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: 1/9/2020 | Send Email It's very rare that we can offer more than one batch of ECBP at a time. Given the immense drinkability of these I always finish my bottle or two before the next batch is released and don't typically get a shot at purchasing more. I relished the opportunity to do a side by side. While both B519 and C919 scream Elijah Craig, they do offer different experiences. B519 has a punchy nose laden with dark cherry fruit, vanilla, baked apples, and a cool cinnamon and fresh sawn oak note that reminds me of a lumber yard after it's rained. It smells like it'll be luscious on the palate. And it is. A buttery texture combines with all the sweetest spices on the tongue. It's a symphony of wood spice, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and allspice. A shocking amount of fruit shows up in addition to all the wood influence. The sweeter caramel and fruit notes are balanced out by pepper - particularly with the addition of a few drops of water. It's a beautiful whisky with poise and a long, long finish.

