Elijah Craig Toasted Rye features an innovative barrel aging process as well as a traditional Kentucky rye mashbill
Elijah Craig has unveiled Elijah Craig Toasted Rye. The new whiskey continues the brand’s tradition of barrel innovation, adding complex layers of soft and creamy milk chocolate to the characteristic spice notes of their Straight Rye.
To create the whiskey, Elijah Craig Straight Rye is dumped and then re-entered at barrel proof into a second, custom toasted new oak barrel designed in partnership with Independent Stave Company. The toast on these secondary barrels is unique to the Toasted Rye. At the end of the nearly hour long toasting process, a cap is placed on the barrel to quickly ramp up the heat to an extremely high temperature allowing phenols to embed in the surface of the barrel for an added element of smoke to complement the spice and sweetness of the Rye.
The whiskey features a traditional Kentucky rye mashbill of 51% rye, 35% corn, and 14% malted barley. This combination of grains, which relies heavily on corn as the secondary grain rather than a higher percentage of rye, has been the primary Rye mashbill used by Kentucky Bourbon distilleries.
The nose offers aromas of toasted oak, crème brûlée, almond, and hazelnut. Notes of milk chocolate and subtle baking spices fill the palate, while a creamy mouthfeel begins to take shape. The finish is soft and warm with lingering, drawn-out spices.
“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 Elijah Craig Group Product Director Max Stefka. “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.”
The Toasted Rye whiskey features a suggested retail price of $54.99. For more information, head over to the brand’s official website.