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Elijah Craig Barrel Proof vs Four Roses Small Batch
Comparing Elijah Craig Barrel Proof and Four Roses Small Batch reveals a matchup between an uncut, cask-strength bruiser and a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Elijah Craig Barrel Proof | Four Roses Small Batch |
|---|---|---|
| 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) +34 proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$70 – $100 | ~$32 – $38 ~$50 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 Small Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Four Roses Small Batch
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 9/4 heat: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 9 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch 4 out of 10
oak 9/5 oak: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 9 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch 5 out of 10
fruit 4/7 fruit: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 4 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch 7 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 7 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch 6 out of 10
spice 7/6 spice: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 7 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch 6 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 4 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land very differently on the palate for heat.
- 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 Small Batch: Four Roses' yeast strains push this toward fruit and florals rather than wood. Red berry and cinnamon over a light body, with the rye showing up as brightness instead of bite.
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 Small Batch if you want a fruit-and-floral profile that stands apart from the usual caramel-and-oak template at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat (Elijah Craig Barrel Proof); neat, rocks, cocktails (Four Roses Small Batch).