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Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) vs Elijah Craig Small Batch
Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) and Elijah Craig Small Batch sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an undiluted barrel-strength pour versus an old-guard, classically built classic.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) | Elijah Craig Small Batch |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 110 proof (55% ABV) +16 proof | 94 proof (47% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$80 – $100 | ~$28 – $35 ~$59 less |
| Availability | Limited | Widely available easier to find |
- Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) does not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series)
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Elijah Craig Small Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) Elijah Craig Small Batch
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 8/4 heat: Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) 8 out of 10, Elijah Craig Small Batch 4 out of 10
spice 7/5 spice: Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) 7 out of 10, Elijah Craig Small Batch 5 out of 10
fruit 6/4 fruit: Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) 6 out of 10, Elijah Craig Small Batch 4 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) 7 out of 10, Elijah Craig Small Batch 6 out of 10
oak 8/7 oak: Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) 8 out of 10, Elijah Craig Small Batch 7 out of 10
nuttiness 4/4 nuttiness: Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) 4 out of 10, Elijah Craig Small Batch 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land very differently on the palate for heat.
- Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series): Barrell blends sourced barrels from multiple states and bottles at cask strength, and the batches differ enormously. At their best they show a tropical fruit note that almost nothing else in bourbon delivers.
- Elijah Craig Small Batch: A heavily oak-driven pour for the money, with vanilla bean and brown sugar riding on top of real char and smoke. The extra age shows up as wood depth rather than harshness.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) if you want an adventurous, cask-strength blend and you accept that each batch is its own animal with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
- Go with Elijah Craig Small Batch if you want the best oak-forward value on the shelf, with more wood character than its price suggests.
Best enjoyed neat (Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series)); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Elijah Craig Small Batch).