{"product_id":"elijah-craig-pga-championship-2026-edition-750ml","title":"Elijah Craig PGA Championship 2026 Edition 750ML","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eElijah Craig PGA Championship 2026 Edition 750ML\u003c\/strong\u003e 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 \u003cem\u003eWine Enthusiast\u003c\/em\u003e and Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, and this higher-proof, longer-aged expression builds on that acclaimed foundation.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQuick Facts:\u003c\/strong\u003e ABV: 54% (108 Proof)  |  Origin: Kentucky, USA  |  Aged 8–12 Years  |  Distillery: Heaven Hill\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eProduction \u0026amp; Heritage\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHeaven 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAroma:\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTaste:\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinish:\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eHow to Drink the PGA Championship 2026 Edition\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAt 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 \u003cstrong\u003eOld Fashioned\u003c\/strong\u003e, where the butterscotch and spice amplify under a dash of Angostura. A \u003cstrong\u003eBoulevardier\u003c\/strong\u003e benefits from the bourbon's assertive barrel influence against Campari's bitterness. For warmer months, a \u003cstrong\u003eWhiskey Sour\u003c\/strong\u003e lets the dark fruit and citrus notes play off fresh lemon without losing structure.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eBest For\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCollectors seeking annual limited-edition bourbon releases with genuine batch variation\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGifting a golf enthusiast who appreciates premium American whiskey\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSide-by-side tastings comparing rickhouse influence across different Elijah Craig expressions\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAfter-dinner sipping on evenings that call for a barrel-proof-adjacent bourbon\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat does the PGA Championship 2026 Edition taste like?\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow does the PGA Championship 2026 Edition compare to Buffalo Trace?\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs the PGA Championship 2026 Edition good for sipping neat?\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhere is the PGA Championship 2026 Edition made?\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat foods pair well with the PGA Championship 2026 Edition?\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat sizes does the PGA Championship 2026 Edition come in?\u003c\/strong\u003e The standard release is a 750ml bottle.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs the PGA Championship 2026 Edition worth the price?\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eWhy the PGA Championship 2026 Edition?\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe 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 \u003cem\u003eWine Enthusiast\u003c\/em\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Elijah Craig","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44839377404073,"sku":"39499","price":37.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0680\/1024\/6313\/files\/Elijah-Craig-PGA-Championship-Edition__28429.jpg?v=1730520406","url":"https:\/\/theliquorbarn.com\/products\/elijah-craig-pga-championship-2026-edition-750ml","provider":"The Liquor Barn","version":"1.0","type":"link"}