Elijah Craig Barrel Proof batch A121 Vs. Booker’s batch 2021-01

Here’s a matchup that was demanded by fans, and I’m excited about it!
These are my favorite regular releases from Heaven Hill and Beam.

Which of these always-great options is the winner when we compare the first batches of 2021!

Fun Fact: Did you know Heaven Hill and Beam share a common history and still use the same strain of yeast? That’s why both brands have some similar nutty notes.

Fancy Glencairn is a long-time ECBP fan, lets see if she’s a winner today!

ECBP A121) $69, 123.6 proof. Aged 12 years.
-The Nose is slightly less aromatic in this batch. There is an initial hint of musty-sour-oak-funk that then reveals cinnamon, caramel, vanilla, and roasted peanuts, plus a hint of green apple.
-The palate starts out with a thick, oily mouthfeel, and includes strong caramel, brown sugar, vanilla, roasted hazelnuts, and some raisin notes.
-The finish is long and sweet, with caramel corn, honey, some black pepper spice, and some slightly drying oak tannins.
Overall this is another complex, powerful, flavorful pour, but not my favorite batch of recent ECBPs.

Booker’s 2021-01 “Donohoe’s Batch”) $79, 125.3 proof. Aged almost 7yrs.
-The Nose has that familiar Beam salted peanut, but here the peanut is more muted, and also includes eucalyptus and citrus notes, along with vanilla and cinnamon. Excellent!
-The Palate is immediately full-flavored and slightly oily. Initially sweet maple syrup, moves into caramel coated apple, peanut brittle, and baking spices of cinnamon and clove.
-The Finish is fairly long and pleasant, with more cinnamon and clove spice, sweet vanilla, oak, and as you exhale some big chocolate covered dark-cherry notes!
Overall this is a very enjoyable, super flavorful pour with less peanut than usual. It is my new favorite batch of Booker’s, and is incredibly balanced.

VERDICT) I expected ECBP to walk away with this. BUT, the combination of best Booker’s ever, and average batch of ECBP, gives Booker’s the surprise win today! I’ve tried these 3 times together to make sure, and it’s actually not even that close. “Donohoe’s Batch” is absolutely delicious, and should be an instant buy at retail price!

What do you guys think!?