Elijah Craig

According to legend, Baptist preacher and entrepreneur Elijah Craig first stored his whiskey in charred oak barrels in Georgetown, Kentucky, in 1789 – a technique still considered fundamental to bourbon's character today. Historians disagree on whether Craig was truly the first to char barrels, yet his name remains synonymous with the "Father of Bourbon".

In 1986, Heaven Hill first brought the modern Elijah Craig brand to market as a small-batch bourbon, long before "small batch" became a common industry term. The bottling played an important role in reviving the premium bourbon segment. From Elijah Craig Small Batch to Barrel Proof, you will find the right bottle for every occasion in our selection.

Was Elijah Craig really the "father of bourbon"?

Elijah Craig was a Baptist preacher, educator, and entrepreneur who, among other things, built the region's first paper and wool mills in Georgetown, Kentucky. According to legend, he first stored whiskey in charred oak barrels in 1789 – a method that gives bourbon its characteristic colour and smoothness. Whether Craig actually invented this technique is historically disputed; some researchers suggest that charring barrels to remove impurities had already been common practice among coopers for some time. What is undisputed, however, is that Craig – like many entrepreneurs of his era in Kentucky – relied on the labour of enslaved people, who made a significant, historically long-overlooked contribution to the craft of bourbon-making.

How did a legend become a modern bourbon brand?

It was only in 1986 that Heaven Hill brought the modern Elijah Craig brand to market as a small-batch bourbon – at a time when the term "small batch" was not yet established in the industry. The bottling is considered a key pioneer in the later revival of the premium bourbon segment in the US.

Overview of the most popular bottlings

1. Elijah Craig Small Batch
The brand's classic core bottling.
Taste: Caramel, vanilla, and spicy oak.
Serving suggestion: An excellent introduction to the world of Kentucky bourbon.

2. Elijah Craig Barrel Proof
An undiluted cask-strength version, released in limited batches.
Taste: Intense, with bold oak spice and plenty of warmth.
Serving suggestion: For anyone wanting to experience bourbon at full intensity.

Facts and figures

Namesake: Elijah Craig (1738(?)-1808), Georgetown, Kentucky. Modern brand launch: 1986 by Heaven Hill. Owner: Heaven Hill Distillery.