Some help does anyone know Elijah Craig 'small batch' labels

[TheWM]

I ordered some Elijah Craig 12 small batch. Received it and it appears to be a 'standard' 12 year old (insomuch that it was not labelled small batch). Queried this with the shop who has stated that this is a label change and they are still small batch, without the label. What I have received is this:

https://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/P-1056.aspx

You will note that it is not sold or labelled as 'small batch' by the TWE.

All the small batch bottles I have bought look like this:

https://wp.caskers.com/product/elijah-craig-12-year-old-small-batch-kentucky-straight-bourbon-whiskey/

And have the small batch label with the age statement.

As far as I am aware all Elijah Craig offerings are technically small batches, which is why I thought (perhaps incorrectly) that the labelled small batch was an even better release.

Does anyone know whether they have dropped the small batch label, or is my supplier trying to pull a fast one, or perhaps not knowing the difference (indeed if there is one).

[opelfruit]

Listen, for here are the answers you come to seek;

All EC12 is "small batch". All are still 12 years old, minimum.

The Whisky Exchange one looks like an older label. The Caskers one is the previous label where it said 12yo and small batch on the front. Newest labels don't have the 12 on the front but a picture of a cask instead, and the words "small batch". The age statement has move to the back label.....don't ask, not NAS, yet.

It's all the same stuff, I suspect TWE has a load of older bottlings, that's all.
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"Too much of anything is bad, but too much good whisky is barely enough."

[TheWM]

I knew that you would know but thought I'd allow the other kids to have a go first!

So it would appear I've been mugging myself off when I've passed by the EC12 and thought 'I'd rather have the small batch'

The NAS thing that you alerted me to got me doing some reading and it does seem odd, although potentially a well planned move to remove the age from the from with a view to taking it away all together. In which case could the same thing be happening to their small batch status (i.e. Massively increasing production?)

I'm tempted to get a few barrel proofs although they have not yet dipped down to that elusive £30 mark which has put me off, but I can't see how increasing the ABV by 15%=double the price. I mean you can get a pappy for that kind of money (I mean I'd go for a Weller but I'm guessing you're ahead of me on that...)

[James T]

Marks & Spencer still have the Elijah Craig 12 for £26, it is still the old label with the age on the front in my local M&S