Elijah Craig is a Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey brand produced by Heaven Hill Distillery, named after the Reverend Elijah Craig — a Baptist preacher widely credited as the father of bourbon. According to legend, Craig was the first distiller to age his whiskey in charred oak barrels, a practice he is said to have pioneered in 1789. Whether fact or myth, this story places Elijah Craig at the very origin of what we know as bourbon today, making it one of the most historically significant names in American whiskey. The brand was first brought to market in 1986 under the Elijah Craig Small Batch label, long before small batch had become a recognized category in the bourbon world. The flagship Small Batch expression is crafted from batches of 200 barrels or fewer, using bourbon aged between 8 and 12 years. Today, the portfolio has expanded to include multiple expressions — among them a straight rye whiskey — all produced at Bardstown, Kentucky, and bottled at 47% ABV. The range is known for its approachable yet complex character, rooted in quality aging and consistent craftsmanship. Elijah Craig is celebrated not only for its quality but for its place in bourbon history. Forbes has called the man behind the name one of the most important figures in American whiskey, and the brand continues to build on that legacy with a growing portfolio that honors its pioneering roots.