LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Heaven Hill Distillery has released Elijah Craig Barrel Proof B523, the second installment in the 2023 lineup of its award-winning cask-strength bourbon series. Bottled at 11 years and 5 months, this May 2023 batch delivers bold earthiness, dark chocolate, and rich oak in a non-chill-filtered, uncut expression.
What Does “B523” Mean?
Every Elijah Craig Barrel Proof release follows a clear naming convention:
B = Second batch of the year (following A, B, C sequence)
5 = Month of release (May)
23 = Year (2023)
This batch, B523, is aged 11 years and 5 months — reflecting the youngest barrel in the blend — and is bottled straight from the barrel without chill filtration or added water.
Flavor Profile: Earthy, Chocolatey, and Full-Bodied
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof is known for two flavor extremes:
“Candy bombs” — sweet, confectionary-driven (e.g., A122)
Earthy & chocolate-forward — robust and oaky (e.g., C922)
B523 falls firmly in the latter camp, offering:
Deep dark chocolate and earthiness
A backbone of generous heat and rich oak
Thick, coating texture on the palate
A long finish with char, cocoa, and lingering warmth
New Labeling & Aging Transparency
Starting with B523, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof now features:
Monthly age statements (e.g., 11 years, 5 months) prominently on the front label
Small-batch blending with unique age, proof, and flavor profiles per release
All other hallmarks remain unchanged: uncut, non-chill-filtered, and bottled at barrel proof.
Expert-Led Batch Selection
Each release is crafted by Heaven Hill’s tasting panel, including:
Connor O’Driscoll, Master Distiller
Tawnie Gootee, Master Taster
Chris Briney, VP of New Product Development and Quality Assurance
Price & Availability
Suggested Retail Price: $69.99 (750ml)
Available nationwide in limited quantities
11th Year of the Series
B523 follows Elijah Craig Barrel Proof A123 (January 2023), marking the continued evolution of one of bourbon’s most celebrated cask-strength programs.
For more information, visit elijahcraig.com or follow @ElijahCraig on social media.
In the series, this follows Elijah Craig Barrel Proof A123, which marked the beginning of the eleventh year of this popular cask-strength line.
For more information please visit https://elijahcraig.com/barrel-proof