Elijah Craig PGA Championship 2026 Edition 750ML

Elijah Craig PGA Championship 2026 Edition 750ML is a 108-proof (54% ABV) Kentucky straight bourbon from Heaven Hill Distillery, aged 8 to 12 years. What separates this limited release from the standard Elijah Craig Small Batch is its rickhouse-specific barrel selection—barrels for this edition were drawn exclusively from rickhouses N and S, introducing a distinct flavor fingerprint shaped by warehouse microclimate. The core Elijah Craig Small Batch has earned 95 points from Wine Enthusiast and Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, and this higher-proof, longer-aged expression builds on that acclaimed foundation.

Quick Facts: ABV: 54% (108 Proof)  |  Origin: Kentucky, USA  |  Aged 8–12 Years  |  Distillery: Heaven Hill

Production & Heritage

Heaven Hill Distillery, headquartered in Bardstown, Kentucky, is one of the largest family-owned and operated spirits producers in the United States, founded in 1935. The PGA Championship 2026 Edition uses Heaven Hill's standard bourbon mashbill of 78% corn, 10% rye, and 12% malted barley, distilled through the company's column still system and aged in new charred American oak barrels. What distinguishes each annual PGA Championship release is the rickhouse sourcing—Heaven Hill's team selects barrels from specific warehouses that correspond to the year's tournament venue. For 2026, rickhouses N and S provided the stock, meaning temperature swings and airflow patterns unique to those structures directly shaped the maturation profile. This is not simply a repackaged Small Batch; the rickhouse specificity and broader aging window of 8 to 12 years produce genuine batch variation year over year.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Butterscotch and warm caramel dominate the opening, followed by layers of toasted oak, honey, and baking spice. Beneath that, subtle dark fruit and a thread of clove-cinnamon warmth emerge as the bourbon opens in the glass.

Taste: The entry is rich and full-bodied, led by butterscotch and deep caramel that give way to ripe berries and baking spice at mid-palate. Toasted oak asserts itself steadily, supported by vanilla sweetness and a citrus brightness that keeps the 108 proof from becoming heavy. The higher proof delivers considerable intensity without crossing into harshness.

Finish: Long and warming, with vanilla lingering alongside subtle herbal-anise undertones and persistent oak depth. A gentle sweetness and soft spice carry well past the final sip, tapering into dry, toasted grain.

How to Drink the PGA Championship 2026 Edition

At 108 proof, this bourbon rewards a slow pour neat or with a few drops of water to unlock the darker fruit and herbal complexity beneath the caramel. It also stands up well on a single large ice cube, which gradually opens the palate without diluting the barrel character. For cocktails, the proof and oak depth make it a strong candidate for an Old Fashioned, where the butterscotch and spice amplify under a dash of Angostura. A Boulevardier benefits from the bourbon's assertive barrel influence against Campari's bitterness. For warmer months, a Whiskey Sour lets the dark fruit and citrus notes play off fresh lemon without losing structure.

Best For

• Collectors seeking annual limited-edition bourbon releases with genuine batch variation
• Gifting a golf enthusiast who appreciates premium American whiskey
• Side-by-side tastings comparing rickhouse influence across different Elijah Craig expressions
• After-dinner sipping on evenings that call for a barrel-proof-adjacent bourbon

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the PGA Championship 2026 Edition taste like? It leads with butterscotch and caramel, transitions into ripe berries and baking spice, and finishes long with vanilla, toasted oak, and subtle herbal-anise undertones. The 108-proof intensity delivers richness without heat.

How does the PGA Championship 2026 Edition compare to Buffalo Trace? Buffalo Trace is bottled at 90 proof and uses a different mashbill with a lower corn percentage, resulting in a lighter, more fruit-forward profile. The Elijah Craig PGA Championship 2026 Edition runs significantly hotter at 108 proof and carries deeper oak influence from its longer 8-to-12-year aging window, reflecting Heaven Hill's house character of pronounced caramel and barrel spice.

Is the PGA Championship 2026 Edition good for sipping neat? Yes—the 108 proof is approachable for experienced bourbon drinkers who enjoy barrel-proof-range intensity, and a small splash of water reveals additional complexity in the fruit and herbal notes.

Where is the PGA Championship 2026 Edition made? It is produced by Heaven Hill Distillery, headquartered in Bardstown, Kentucky, one of the largest family-owned distilleries in the United States, founded in 1935.

What foods pair well with the PGA Championship 2026 Edition? Smoked brisket complements the toasted oak and caramel. Dark chocolate truffles mirror the bourbon's sweetness and spice. Pecan pie echoes its butterscotch notes. Aged cheddar contrasts the richness with savory sharpness. Grilled stone fruit like peaches amplifies the dark fruit undertones.

What sizes does the PGA Championship 2026 Edition come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle.

Is the PGA Championship 2026 Edition worth the price? It positions as a limited-edition premium expression above the standard Elijah Craig Small Batch, justified by its rickhouse-specific barrel selection, broader 8-to-12-year aging range, higher 108 proof, and annual collectibility—strong value for a limited bourbon at this age and proof tier.

Why the PGA Championship 2026 Edition?

The defining feature here is rickhouse-specific barrel selection from warehouses N and S, a production detail that introduces measurable year-to-year variation and separates this from a simple label change on the standard Small Batch. The 8-to-12-year aging window and 108-proof bottling strength push it firmly into territory that rivals many single-barrel and barrel-proof releases at higher price points. Built on a mashbill and distillation program that has earned the core Elijah Craig line 95 points from Wine Enthusiast and Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, this edition delivers the established Heaven Hill character with a distinct stamp of place and vintage. For bourbon collectors and golf fans alike, it represents a genuinely differentiated annual release rooted in verifiable production choices rather than marketing alone.