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Elijah Craig Barrel Proof vs Jefferson’s Very Small Batch
Put Elijah Craig Barrel Proof next to Jefferson’s Very Small Batch and you have a full-proof, unfiltered heavyweight set against a sourced, corn-forward blend.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Elijah Craig Barrel Proof | Jefferson’s Very Small Batch |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | 12 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 124 proof (62% ABV) +42 proof | 82.3 proof (41.1% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$70 – $100 | ~$28 – $36 ~$53 less |
| Availability | Limited | Widely available easier to find |
- Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 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
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Jefferson’s Very Small Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Jefferson’s Very Small Batch
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 9/2 heat: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 9 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 2 out of 10
oak 9/4 oak: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 9 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 4 out of 10
spice 7/4 spice: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 7 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 4 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 7 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 6 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 4 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 5 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 4 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very 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.
- Jefferson’s Very Small Batch: A blend of sourced barrels bottled at a very gentle 82.3 proof. Easy and inoffensive, but thin enough that it is hard to recommend over bonded bottles costing less.
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 Jefferson’s Very Small Batch if you want an especially soft, low-proof pour and gentleness matters more than intensity at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat (Elijah Craig Barrel Proof); rocks, cocktails, highball (Jefferson’s Very Small Batch).