Elijah Craig

Elijah Craig is a whiskey brand offering a range of Bourbon and Rye expressions, including Small Batch, Straight Rye, Toasted Barrel, Toasted Rye, Barrel Proof, Barrel Proof Rye, 15 year old, and 18 year old. The brand's namesake, Reverend Elijah Craig, is known as the Father of Bourbon because he was the first to char oak barrels to make bourbon. The brand states that in 1789 Elijah Craig became the first distiller to age his whiskey in new charred oak barrels, and that it continues to draw inspiration from parts of his story as a distiller while acknowledging that enslaved people made major contributions to Bourbon.

The brand's namesake, Reverend Elijah Craig, was a Baptist preacher, an educator, and an entrepreneur who built the first paper and wool mills in Georgetown, Kentucky. According to the brand, in 1789 Elijah Craig became the first distiller to age his whiskey in new charred oak barrels, and he is still known as the Father of Bourbon. The brand states that a critical component of this history are the enslaved people who made major contributions to Bourbon, and that Elijah Craig was an enslaver who relied upon enslaved people to run his distilling and broader business operations. The brand says it is actively engaged in academic research with the University of Kentucky's Commonwealth Institute for Black Studies and Central Kentucky Slavery Initiative, as well as other initiatives, to share a more transparent and inclusive account of its past.

• Small Batch

  Our Signature Bourbon, pulled from hand selected barrels.

• Straight Rye

  Extra-aged Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey with a unique, spicy character.

• Toasted Barrel

  Finished in custom-toasted new oak barrels for added complexity.

• Toasted Rye

  Our classic spice-forward Rye Whiskey, finished in custom-toasted barrels for extra oak flavor.

• Barrel Proof

  Bourbon in its purest form: uncut & straight from the barrel.

• Barrel Proof Rye

  Experience our Straight Rye Whiskey in its boldest form: uncut, straight from the barrel, and rich with complex spice and character.

• 15 year old

  A complex Single Barrel Bourbon, bottled at 108 proof for a unique experience for those with premium taste.

• 18 year old

  A rare Single Barrel Bourbon, expertly chosen by our Master Distiller.

1. 1Elijah Craig | Home Pageelijahcraig.com
2. 2Elijah Craig | Our Historyelijahcraig.com