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Elijah Craig Barrel Proof vs Four Roses Bourbon
Put Elijah Craig Barrel Proof next to Four Roses Bourbon and you have a full-proof, unfiltered heavyweight set against a classic, high-rye stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Elijah Craig Barrel Proof | Four Roses Bourbon |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | 75% corn, 20% rye, 5% malted barley |
| Age | 12 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 124 proof (62% ABV) +44 proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$70 – $100 | ~$22 – $28 ~$60 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.
Four Roses Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Four Roses Bourbon
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 9/2 heat: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 9 out of 10, Four Roses Bourbon 2 out of 10
oak 9/3 oak: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 9 out of 10, Four Roses Bourbon 3 out of 10
spice 7/5 spice: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 7 out of 10, Four Roses Bourbon 5 out of 10
fruit 4/6 fruit: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 4 out of 10, Four Roses Bourbon 6 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 7 out of 10, Four Roses Bourbon 6 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 4 out of 10, Four Roses Bourbon 3 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.
- Four Roses Bourbon: The yellow label entry point, blending all ten Four Roses recipes at a gentle 80 proof. Light and fruity to a fault, but the house floral character is already recognisable and it mixes beautifully.
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 Four Roses Bourbon if you want the Four Roses fruit-and-floral signature at its lightest and cheapest without hunting for it.
Best enjoyed neat (Elijah Craig Barrel Proof); cocktails, highball, rocks (Four Roses Bourbon).