{"product_id":"elijah-craig-barrel-proof-batch-a123-125-6-proof","title":"Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Batch A123 125.6 Proof","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eElijah Craig Barrel Proof Batch A123 125.6 Proof. Heaven Hill Distillery, Bardstown, Kentucky — the January 2023 release of Heaven Hill's three-times-annual cask strength bourbon, bottled at 125.6 proof from 12-year-old barrels without water reduction or chill filtration — the first Barrel Proof release of 2023, preceding B523 in May and C923 in September.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA123 denotes the January (A batch) 2023 release. At 125.6 proof — notably higher than A122's 120.8 proof from the previous January — A123 reflects a barrel selection with greater alcohol concentration, suggesting the 2023 January barrels experienced more net evaporation toward alcohol retention than the 2022 selection. The year-over-year proof difference between A122 (120.8) and A123 (125.6) illustrates exactly the batch variance that makes the Elijah Craig Barrel Proof program compelling to collectors: same distillery, same mash bill, same A-batch timing — but different years, different barrels, 4.8 proof points of difference.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe 12-year age statement was maintained consistently through this era of Elijah Craig Barrel Proof production. Barrels entered in 2011 and pulled in January 2023 spent 12 years cycling through Heaven Hill's upper rick house floors, accumulating the caramel, vanilla, oak depth, and dark fruit complexity that defines the Barrel Proof style at this age point. Now a back vintage batch.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eNose:\u003c\/strong\u003e Rich caramel and vanilla with toasted oak and dark fruit from the 12-year aging. At 125.6 proof the aromatics carry force — allow a few minutes in the glass to open fully before evaluating.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003ePalate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dark chocolate, toasted oak, caramel, and baking spice. The 125.6 proof delivers the full concentration of 12-year Heaven Hill upper rick house aging at cask intensity. Complex and layered.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eFinish:\u003c\/strong\u003e Long and warming with lingering spice and caramel. The 12-year age creates sustained depth that shorter-aged barrel proof releases cannot match.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003eSpecs\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eDistillery:\u003c\/strong\u003e Heaven Hill Distillery, Bardstown, Kentucky\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eMash Bill:\u003c\/strong\u003e 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eBatch:\u003c\/strong\u003e A123 — January 2023 release\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eAge:\u003c\/strong\u003e 12 years\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eABV:\u003c\/strong\u003e 62.8% (125.6 Proof)\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eFiltration:\u003c\/strong\u003e Non-chill filtered; no water reduction\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e 750ml\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eBrowse our full selection of \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/woodencork.com\/collections\/whiskey\"\u003ebourbon and whiskey at Wooden Cork\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eWhat does A123 mean?\u003c\/strong\u003e A = January batch, 1 = January (first month), 23 = 2023. The first Elijah Craig Barrel Proof release of 2023, preceding B523 in May and C923 in September.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eWhy is A123 at 125.6 proof vs A122's 120.8?\u003c\/strong\u003e Proof varies year to year based on the specific barrels selected. A123's barrels experienced different evaporative conditions over their 12 years than A122's barrels did — producing a higher natural proof at bottling. The 4.8 proof point difference between the two January batches illustrates exactly the batch variance that defines the Barrel Proof program.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eIs A123 still available?\u003c\/strong\u003e Currently out of stock. A123 is the January 2023 back vintage. Check Wooden Cork for current active Barrel Proof batches.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cscript type=\"application\/ld+json\"\u003e{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"FAQPage\",\"mainEntity\":[{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"What does A123 mean?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"A = January batch, 1 = January (first month), 23 = 2023. The first Elijah Craig Barrel Proof release of 2023, preceding B523 in May and C923 in September.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Why is A123 at 125.6 proof vs A122's 120.8?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Proof varies year to year by barrel selection. A123's barrels experienced different evaporative conditions over 12 years than A122's did — producing a higher natural proof. The 4.8 point difference illustrates the batch variance that defines the Barrel Proof program.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Is A123 still available?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Currently out of stock. A123 is the January 2023 back vintage. Check Wooden Cork for current active Barrel Proof batches.\"}}]}\u003c\/script\u003e","brand":"Elijah Craig","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42900768096327,"sku":"elijah-craig-barrel-proof-batch-a123-125-6-proof","price":79.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0687\/0640\/2375\/files\/ElijahCraigBarrelProofBatchA123125.6Proof_c59d7049-7a83-476d-93c5-f7be43c46fcd.jpg?v=1782409353","url":"https:\/\/bourbonnest.com\/products\/elijah-craig-barrel-proof-batch-a123-125-6-proof","provider":"Bourbon Nest","version":"1.0","type":"link"}