Elijah Craig Releases Barrel Proof Bourbon, Rye
Heaven Hill's new H-40 bourbon and H-04 rye are aged at least 12 years and 10 years, respectively, and will be sold nationwide.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Beer
Heaven Hill has released Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Bourbon H-40 and Barrel Proof Rye H-04, both bottled at 62.2% ABV (124.4 proof) with a suggested retail price of $75. The whiskeys are bottled uncut and without chill filtration and will be available nationwide.
Why it matters
The releases mark a shift for the brand, which has moved away from a fixed release schedule and introduced a new batch coding system. Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Bourbon previously carried a 12-year age statement until 2023, and the new rye expands the Barrel Proof lineup.
Both whiskeys are bottled at 62.2% ABV (124.4 proof) with a suggested retail price of $75 each. Bourbon H-40 uses a 78% corn, 12% malted barley, 10% rye mash bill, while Rye H-04 uses 51% rye, 35% corn, and 14% malted barley.
The players
Heaven Hill
Heaven Hill is a Kentucky-based family-owned distillery that produces Elijah Craig and numerous other bourbon and rye brands.
Elijah Craig
Elijah Craig is a bourbon brand owned by Heaven Hill, known for its Barrel Proof expressions.
The details
Every barrel in the H-40 batch was aged at least 12 years and eight months, and every barrel in the H-04 batch was aged at least 10 years. Both whiskeys are bottled uncut and without chill filtration, and in these batch codes the letter H corresponds to August.
Timeline
Bourbon batches A, B, and C were typically released January through September.
H-40 and H-04 batches were finalized in August 2026.
H-40 and H-04 became available nationwide in November 2026.
Market Landscape
Elijah Craig's 2023 removal of its 12-year age statement from Barrel Proof Bourbon set up the current release, which pairs an aged bourbon with a newly introduced Barrel Proof Rye. The batch-coding system and move away from a fixed schedule position the brand's Barrel Proof line as less predictable for consumers.
The whiskeys are available nationwide at a suggested retail price of $75, so buyers across the country can purchase them at comparable list prices. Shoppers who previously relied on the 12-year age statement should note that the H-40 batch is aged at least 12 years and eight months.
The takeaway
Batch codes now signal aging and release timing, so buyers checking labels can identify which barrels they are buying. Compare batch letters and the stated minimum ages when choosing between expressions.
Further reading
For more on the category, explore our Beer coverage across the United States.
