"Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Whisky - Whisky of the Year..... "Whiskey Advocate
The renowned Elijah Craig is associated with some of the finest bourbons from Heaven Hill Brands. Elijah Craig is a historical figure, often referred to as the "Father of Bourbon", although this is often debated. But certainly if he wasn't, hw was a real pioneer who help defined whiskey making!
Who Was Elijah Craig?
Born around 1738 in Orange County, Virginia, Elijah Craig later relocated to what is now Kentucky in 1782. Ordained as a Baptist minister in 1771, he continued preaching until his passing in 1808. A true entrepreneur on the American frontier, Craig played a significant role in fostering industry in the emerging commonwealth. He was the founder of Georgetown, establishing him as a prominent and influential figure.
If Craig was involved in distilling at such an early stage, it is likely that he was not the only one. By 1789, there were other distillers in the region who would have also been utilising local corn and other crops to produce whiskey. The reason their names are not as well-remembered could be due to them not running major enterprises or lacking the Reverend Elijah Craig's influence and fame.
How Elijah Craig Got On A Bottle
According to Josh Hafer, Heaven Hill's communications manager, the Elijah Craig trademark was initially registered in 1960 by Commonwealth Distillers, who also owned the T.W. Samuels brand. Heaven Hill took ownership in 1976, but the brand remained inactive until its first whiskey release in 1986, coinciding with a low point in the bourbon market.
Why launch a high-end product during a time when inexpensive bourbon dominated the market? Hafer clarified that, for Heaven Hill, the introduction of a 12-year-old product signified a shift from its reputation for lower-quality whiskey. The company was making a statement and banking on the resurgence of bourbon's appeal, a forward-thinking strategy that paid off.
Following this strategic vision, Elijah Craig 18-year-old was introduced in the mid-1990s, taking another risk on the market's potential growth. The numerous accolades Elijah Craig has garnered since then validate Heaven Hill's approach, with the brand now leading the thriving premium bourbon sector.
While Elijah Craig is often credited as the patriarch of bourbon, many early bourbon distillers contributed to the industry's foundation during that era, utilising distillation as a vital income source in challenging frontier conditions. While some of these pioneers' names have faded over time, their collective efforts were instrumental in shaping the bourbon industry we know today.