Uncut, Unfiltered, Straight From the Barrel — 12 Years, 8 Months
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof is one of the most sought-after releases in bourbon, bottled straight from the barrel with nothing added and nothing taken away — no chill filtration, no proofing water, just whiskey exactly as it comes out of the oak. Batch H-40 continues that tradition: a small-batch bourbon aged a full 12 years and 8 months, bottled at the barrels' natural cask strength of 124.4 proof (62.2% ABV).
Named for Reverend Elijah Craig, the Baptist minister often credited with pioneering the charred oak aging process that defines bourbon today, this release carries the full weight of that legacy — deep char-driven oak character, high-proof intensity, and the rich, concentrated flavor that only comes from over a decade of patient aging in Kentucky's climate. Each batch of Barrel Proof is released three times a year and bottled at a different proof, making every batch, including H-40, a distinct and non-repeatable expression.
Tasting Notes
Rich oak, dark caramel, and vanilla up front, with notes of cinnamon, baking spice, and dried fruit developing through the palate, carried by the high proof into a long, warming, char-forward finish.
How to Enjoy
Best enjoyed neat or with a few drops of water to open up the barrel char and spice notes. At cask strength, it also holds its own beautifully in an Old Fashioned or any bourbon cocktail that calls for bold, high-proof whiskey.
Why Collectors Seek This Out
Uncut and unfiltered — bottled straight from the barrel at natural cask strength
Full 12-year, 8-month age statement
Bottled at 124.4 proof (62.2% ABV) — well above standard bourbon proof
Batch H-40 is a one-time, non-repeatable release — each Barrel Proof batch is unique
Highly regarded, award-winning label with a devoted following among bourbon collectors
Limited allocation — batches sell out quickly
Product Details
Type
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Batch
H-40
Size
750mL
Proof / ABV
124.4 Proof (62.2% Alc. Vol.)
Age
12 Years, 8 Months
Filtration
Uncut, Unfiltered, Straight From the Barrel
Distillery
Heaven Hill Distillery, Bardstown/Louisville, Kentucky
Please drink responsibly. Must be 21+ to purchase.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "barrel proof" mean?
Barrel proof means the bourbon is bottled at the exact strength it reaches inside the barrel, with no water added to bring the proof down. Batch H-40 comes in at 124.4 proof (62.2% ABV), well above the standard 80-90 proof of most bourbons.
Why does the proof change from batch to batch?
Because each batch is bottled straight from a unique group of barrels with no proofing water added, the natural cask strength — and therefore the final proof — varies from release to release. Batch H-40 is bottled at 124.4 proof, a proof specific to this batch alone.
How old is this bourbon?
Batch H-40 carries an age statement of 12 years and 8 months, well beyond the industry standard and a hallmark of the Barrel Proof line.
Is this bourbon filtered?
No. Elijah Craig Barrel Proof is uncut and unfiltered, bottled exactly as it comes from the barrel to preserve its full natural flavor and viscosity.
Who was Elijah Craig?
Reverend Elijah Craig was an 18th-century Baptist minister in Kentucky often credited as one of the pioneers of aging whiskey in charred oak barrels — the process that gives bourbon its signature color and flavor.
Will Batch H-40 be released again?
No. Each Barrel Proof batch is a one-time release. Once Batch H-40 sells out, it will not be replicated — future releases will carry different batch numbers, ages, and proofs.
