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Elijah Craig Barrel Proof vs Evan Williams Black Label
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof and Evan Williams Black Label sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an undiluted barrel-strength pour versus an old-guard, classically built classic.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Elijah Craig Barrel Proof | Evan Williams Black Label |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | 12 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 124 proof (62% ABV) +38 proof | 86 proof (43% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$70 – $100 | ~$14 – $18 ~$69 less |
| Availability | Limited | Widely available easier to find |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Evan Williams Black Label
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Evan Williams Black Label
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 9/3 heat: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 9 out of 10, Evan Williams Black Label 3 out of 10
oak 9/5 oak: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 9 out of 10, Evan Williams Black Label 5 out of 10
spice 7/4 spice: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 7 out of 10, Evan Williams Black Label 4 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 7 out of 10, Evan Williams Black Label 6 out of 10
fruit 4/4 fruit: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 4 out of 10, Evan Williams Black Label 4 out of 10
nuttiness 4/4 nuttiness: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 4 out of 10, Evan Williams Black Label 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Proof and heat dominate the difference.
- Elijah Craig Barrel Proof: The uncut, unfiltered version of the same 12-year Heaven Hill juice, and the intensity is the whole point. Thick fudge and char with cinnamon heat, a genuinely long finish, and enough proof that water meaningfully changes the glass.
- Evan Williams Black Label: The everyday black label, and a perfectly competent well bourbon. Softer and sweeter than the bonded version, with less to say but nothing objectionable.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Elijah Craig Barrel Proof if you want maximum intensity and oak depth, and you want to control the dilution yourself with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
- Go with Evan Williams Black Label if you want a dependable, inexpensive mixing bourbon and nothing more complicated than that at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat (Elijah Craig Barrel Proof); cocktails, highball, rocks (Evan Williams Black Label).