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Bulleit Bourbon vs Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel
Comparing Bulleit Bourbon and Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel reveals a matchup between a sourced, spice-driven blend and a traditional, even-keeled Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Bulleit Bourbon | Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 68% corn, 28% rye, 4% malted barley | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) | 94 proof (47% ABV) +4 proof |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$25 – $32 ~$42 less | ~$60 – $80 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Bulleit Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Bulleit Bourbon Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 5/9 oak: Bulleit Bourbon 5 out of 10, Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 9 out of 10
sweetness 5/8 sweetness: Bulleit Bourbon 5 out of 10, Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 8 out of 10
spice 7/5 spice: Bulleit Bourbon 7 out of 10, Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/5 nuttiness: Bulleit Bourbon 3 out of 10, Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 5 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: Bulleit Bourbon 5 out of 10, Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 4 out of 10
heat 4/4 heat: Bulleit Bourbon 4 out of 10, Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- Bulleit Bourbon: The bottle that put high-rye bourbon in every cocktail bar in the country. Peppery and dry with the familiar MGP dill note, and it earns its place behind the bar more than in a glass on its own.
- Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel: Finished in a second toasted (not charred) barrel, which produces an unmistakable toasted-marshmallow note. Sweet and heavily wooded, and one of the more distinctive finishes any major producer makes.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Bulleit Bourbon if you want a dry, peppery, high-rye bourbon built for cocktails and available absolutely everywhere at a significantly lower price point.
- Go with Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel if you want a distinctive toasted-oak, marshmallow-sweet finish you will not find in a standard bourbon.
Best enjoyed old-fashioned, cocktails, highball (Bulleit Bourbon); neat, rocks (Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel).