Elijah Craig Barrel Proof C922

Elijah Craig Barrel Proof C922. Heaven Hill Distillery, Bardstown, Kentucky — the September 2022 release of Heaven Hill's three-times-annual cask strength bourbon, bottled uncut and unfiltered directly from the barrel without water reduction or chill filtration, delivering the full intensity of upper rick house aging at the specific proof this batch emerged from the wood.

C922 denotes the September (C batch) 2022 release — the third and final Barrel Proof release of that year, following A522 in January and B522 in May. The September C batch carries the character of barrels that absorbed the full heat of the 2022 Kentucky summer — the most aggressive wood extraction window of the year. Summer heat pushes bourbon deep into the charred oak, pulling out concentrated caramel, vanilla, and tannin; the September pull captures that summer work at its peak before winter contraction begins drawing the spirit back. C batches historically show the deepest oak and richest caramel character of the three annual releases for this reason.

Non-chill filtered, no water reduction — the proof on the C922 label is exactly what came out of the specific barrels Heaven Hill selected for this release. The 78% corn mash bill, new charred oak barrels, and upper rick house floor placement are consistent across every Elijah Craig Barrel Proof batch. What varies is the barrel selection, the season, and the proof — making each batch a distinct document of time and place.

Tasting Notes

• Nose: Rich and oak-forward — the September C batch shows the concentrated dark caramel, leather, and toasted oak that summer heat extraction produces. Dried fruit and baking spice underneath at full cask intensity.
• Palate: Dense and full-bodied with deep caramel, vanilla, and pronounced oak tannin. The C batch summer character creates a slightly drier, more tannic mid-palate than the spring B batch, with warming cinnamon and rye spice.
• Finish: Long and warming. The September batch's heavier oak extraction creates a sustained finish with dark caramel and leather persisting through the close.

Specs

• Distillery: Heaven Hill Distillery, Bardstown, Kentucky
• Mash Bill: 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley
• Batch: C922 — September 2022 release
• Filtration: Non-chill filtered; no water reduction
• ABV: Cask strength (varies by batch)
• Size: 750ml

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Frequently Asked Questions

• What does C922 mean? C = September batch, 9 = September (ninth month), 22 = 2022. Heaven Hill releases Elijah Craig Barrel Proof three times per year: A batch in January, B batch in May, C batch in September.
• Why do C batches often taste different from A and B batches? C batches are pulled in September after barrels have absorbed a full Kentucky summer of heat. Summer heat drives bourbon deeper into the charred oak than cooler months do, concentrating caramel, vanilla, and tannin extraction. C batches historically show the richest, most oak-forward character of the three annual releases.
• How does C922 compare to C919 or C921? Same production method, same mash bill, same barrel type — but different barrels selected in different years. Each C batch is a snapshot of that specific September's barrel selection. Year-over-year variation is real and tracked closely by collectors who follow the expression across batches.