How did Eljiha Craig’s new single barrel rank?

Elijah Craig’s new Single Barrel bourbon stands out

Elijah Craig has released a new Single Barrel bourbon that critics are already calling among the best bourbons of the year.

The piece frames the bottling as a “Taste Test” pick, placing it in the category of buzzy, high-interest whiskeys readers are likely to seek out. In other words, this isn’t a broad brand roundup—it’s a specific, single-barrel release being evaluated for quality rather than as a casual mention.

Why that matters for drinkers:

• Single-barrel releases are typically more variable. When a single-barrel drop gets strong early praise, it suggests the batch (and the barrel selection) landed well.
• Reputation moves fast in bourbon. Positive early critical attention can influence what enthusiasts hunt for in retail and what bars choose to pour.

For consumers, the key takeaway is straightforward: if you’re deciding whether to pay attention to the newest Elijah Craig offering, the review positions it as a top-tier choice so far this year.

The article is also part of a recurring series that evaluates whiskeys weekly, which implies the bourbon is being judged against other current releases rather than in isolation. If you’re building a rotation of “best of” bourbons, this latest Single Barrel is being treated as a must-try candidate based on the early critical response.