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When a Kentucky legend decides to tailor its craft for Australia, you know the spirit world is paying attention. Elijah Craig, the revered “Father of Bourbon”, has done just that, unveiling a world-first 40% Small Batch Bourbon crafted exclusively for Australian drinkers. And it’s not just a tweak; it’s a toast to how Aussies enjoy their whiskey.

For the first time in its proud history, Elijah Craig’s producer, Heaven Hill Distillery, has released a lighter, more versatile expression — the bourbon equivalent of slipping off the dinner jacket and rolling up the sleeves. The lower proof doesn’t mean a lesser spirit. If anything, it’s a mark of respect to the growing sophistication of Australia’s whiskey scene, where appreciation has evolved from novelty to national pastime.

“Australians are discovering bourbon at record pace, and Elijah Craig is proud to lead that journey,” says Grant Shearon, Heaven Hill’s APAC Brand Ambassador. “With excise rates continuing to climb, this new Elijah Craig Small Batch makes our award-winning Bourbon more versatile and more accessible, while staying true to the craftsmanship and heritage that has made Elijah Craig a global icon.”

A Bourbon with an Australian Accent

The bourbon, aged in level 3 charred oak barrels, sings with familiar Elijah Craig notes: vanilla, caramel, and toasted oak, but there’s a distinctly easygoing rhythm beneath the melody. Think of it as a Kentucky tune played on an Aussie guitar: smooth, sunny, and unmistakably confident.

Pour it neat, and it whispers of summer fruit and spice; splash it with soda and ice, and it suddenly hums of backyard afternoons and long weekends. Heaven Hill has balanced its old-world heritage with modern Australian drinkability, proving that sometimes, less proof means more pleasure.

This 40% expression was not merely diluted for convenience; it was deliberately designed to meet Australia’s unique drinking climate and lifestyle. In a nation where cocktails are crafted under blue skies and conversations stretch late into balmy evenings, a lighter bourbon that still carries character makes perfect sense.

Old World Heritage Meets New World Ease

For the uninitiated, Elijah Craig isn’t just another bourbon brand. It’s the distillery that quite literally invented the genre, credited with pioneering the use of charred oak barrels back in the late 1700s. Heaven Hill Distillery, its modern guardian, continues that legacy with the precision and pride that would make old Elijah tip his hat.

In a market crowded with craft pretenders and cocktail experiments, this new release cuts through the noise by offering something refreshing: authentic craftsmanship at an approachable strength. It’s bourbon with a backbone, but not one that knocks you off your chair.

“This expansion allows Australians to experience firsthand why our whiskeys continue to set the standard for quality, craftsmanship and innovation,” says Master Distiller Conor O’Driscoll. “From the approachable smoothness of our Small Batch to the rare elegance of our 18-Year-Old Single Barrel, there’s something for every palate.”

Why It Matters Down Under

With Australian excise rates continuing their steady climb (and showing no signs of mercy), Heaven Hill’s strategic move is as pragmatic as it is progressive. By introducing a 40% ABV version, Elijah Craig effectively keeps its bourbon within reach for both wallets and palates, ensuring the brand doesn’t become a collector’s luxury but remains an everyday pleasure.

It’s also a shrewd move for bars and venues. The lower ABV means greater flexibility behind the bar, easier pouring, and a more balanced cocktail profile without losing that rich, toasted depth Elijah Craig is known for. From the high-end whiskey lounges of Sydney to casual laneway bars in Melbourne, this bourbon is built to travel well.

From Kentucky to Cocktails: Two Classics to Try

If you need proof (pardon the pun) of how well Elijah Craig plays in a cocktail, look no further than these classics — both elegantly simple and rich with story.

The Old Fashioned

The patriarch of all cocktails, and still one of the best.

Ingredients:

60ml Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon
10ml simple syrup (1:1 sugar to water)
2 dashes Fee Brothers Aromatic Bitters
Orange peel, to garnish

Stir over ice, strain into a rocks glass, and express the orange oils over the top.

“The Old Fashioned is not just a drink it’s a moment of respect to the spirit in the glass,” says Grant Shearon.

The Revolver – An Australian Twist on the Manhattan

A suave marriage of bourbon and coffee liqueur, with a hint of native honey and wattleseed.

Ingredients:

45ml Elijah Craig Rye Whiskey
15ml Seven Seasons Coffee Liqueur with honey & wattleseed
2 dashes Fee Brothers Orange Bitters
Orange twist, to garnish

Stir until chilled, strain into a coupe, and finish with a flamed orange twist — if you’re feeling theatrical.

Available Now at Dan Murphy’s

The Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon 40% is now available at Dan Murphy’s for an RRP of $79.99, a fair price for a bourbon that bridges continents while keeping its Kentucky soul intact. It joins a family that includes the Toasted Barrel, Barrel Proof, Straight Rye, and the prized 18-Year-Old Single Barrel, giving Australians a rare full spectrum of choice.

Whether you’re sipping it neat, stirring it into something old-fashioned, or raising it in quiet reflection after a long day, Elijah Craig’s new release feels like a toast to modern Australia, easygoing yet grounded, innovative yet respectful of tradition. Just the way we like our whiskey and our friends.