Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Batch #C923

Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Batch #C923. Heaven Hill Distillery, Bardstown, Kentucky — the September 2023 release of Heaven Hill's three-times-annual cask strength bourbon, bottled at cask strength without water reduction or chill filtration — the third and final Barrel Proof release of 2023, completing the A923/B523/C923 vintage year trilogy, with a proof range historically spanning 128.0 to 140.2 across prior C batches and delivering deep amber color with caramel, toasted oak, and fruit aromas and a rich vanilla, caramel, and butterscotch palate with black pepper and cinnamon on the finish.

C923 denotes the September (C batch) 2023 release — the final Elijah Craig Barrel Proof of the year, pulled from barrels after the full Kentucky summer heat extraction cycle. September C batches historically show the highest proofs and most oak-concentrated character in any given year — the barrels have absorbed the maximum summer heat and the September pull captures that peak extraction. Heaven Hill notes that past C batches have ranged from 128.0 to 140.2 proof, reflecting the wide variance that summer-dominant barrel selection produces year to year.

The C923 tasting profile reflects the classic C batch character: deep amber color from the concentrated summer oak extraction, caramel and toasted oak on the nose with apple and orange fruit notes, a rich and layered palate of vanilla, caramel, and butterscotch alongside black pepper and cinnamon spice, and a finish that fades slowly and lingers as it cools. Now a back vintage batch priced at a premium reflecting its collectible status as the final Barrel Proof release of 2023.

Tasting Notes

• Color: Deep amber — the concentrated color of summer heat extraction at its peak.
• Nose: Caramel with toasted oak, fruit notes of apple and orange. The September pull's summer extraction character is evident in the aromatic concentration.
• Palate: Rich vanilla, caramel, and butterscotch alongside spices of black pepper and cinnamon at the back of the palate. The C batch summer character creates the deepest, richest expression in any given vintage year.
• Finish: Nicely layered showcasing all flavors — fades slowly then lingers as it cools. The C batch finish is characteristically the longest and most complex of the three annual releases.

Specs

• Distillery: Heaven Hill Distillery, Bardstown, Kentucky
• Mash Bill: 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley
• Batch: C923 — September 2023 release
• Proof: Cask strength (C batch historical range: 128.0–140.2 proof)
• Filtration: Non-chill filtered; no water reduction
• Size: 750ml

Browse our full selection of bourbon and whiskey at Wooden Cork.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What does C923 mean? C = September batch, 9 = September (ninth month), 23 = 2023. The final Elijah Craig Barrel Proof release of 2023, completing the trilogy with A123 (January) and B523 (May).
• Why do C batches historically have the highest proofs? September C batches are pulled after barrels have absorbed a full Kentucky summer of heat. Summer heat drives bourbon deeper into the charred oak and concentrates the alcohol through evaporation — producing the year's highest proof and most oak-forward, richest character. Heaven Hill's historical C batch range of 128.0–140.2 proof reflects this summer-dominant extraction pattern.
• Why is C923 priced higher than other batches? C923's premium pricing reflects its status as a back vintage collector's batch — the final Barrel Proof release of 2023, now out of production and available only from existing inventory. Historically significant batches of the Barrel Proof program command premiums as they become unavailable at retail.