Elijah Craig is no longer 12 years old. In 2016, Heaven Hill, the distillery that produces Elijah Craig, made the decision to discontinue the 12-year age statement on the bottle and transitioned to a non-age-stated version. This means that the bourbon is no longer guaranteed to be aged for 12 years.
The reason for this change was likely a result of supply and demand. As bourbon became increasingly popular, Heaven Hill may have faced challenges in meeting the demand for their older releases, such as the Elijah Craig 18-year and 23-year expressions. By removing the 12-year age statement, they could allocate more of their older barrels to these higher-end releases.
It’s important to note that just because Elijah Craig is no longer labeled as 12 years old, it doesn’t mean the quality has necessarily declined. The non-age-stated version still undergoes a rigorous aging process and is crafted with the same attention to detail as before. However, without the age statement, consumers no longer have a specific indication of the bourbon’s age.
While some whiskey enthusiasts may prefer age-stated bourbons as an indicator of quality, others argue that the taste and flavor profile are more important factors. It’s always a matter of personal preference.
Personally, I have had the opportunity to try both the 12-year and non-age-stated versions of Elijah Craig, and I found them both to be excellent bourbons. The 12-year expression had a rich and complex flavor profile with notes of caramel, vanilla, and oak, while the non-age-stated version had a similar flavor profile but perhaps with a slightly younger and more vibrant character.
Elijah Craig is no longer 12 years old. The age statement was removed in 2016, likely due to supply constraints and the need to allocate older barrels for other expressions. However, the non-age-stated version still offers a high-quality bourbon experience, and it’s ultimately up to the individual’s taste preferences to determine their preference between the two.