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Elijah Craig Barrel Proof vs Jefferson's Reserve Very Old
Put Elijah Craig Barrel Proof next to Jefferson's Reserve Very Old and you have a full-proof, unfiltered heavyweight set against a sourced, corn-forward blend.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Elijah Craig Barrel Proof | Jefferson's Reserve Very Old |
|---|---|---|
| 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) +34 proof | 90.2 proof (45.1% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$70 – $100 | ~$55 – $65 ~$25 less |
| Availability | Limited | Widely available easier to find |
- Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 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 Reserve Very Old
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Jefferson's Reserve Very Old
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 9/4 heat: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 9 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 4 out of 10
spice 7/5 spice: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 7 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 5 out of 10
oak 9/7 oak: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 9 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 7 out of 10
fruit 4/6 fruit: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 4 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 6 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 7 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 6 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 4 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 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 Reserve Very Old: The older, drier sibling of Jefferson's Very Small Batch. Buttery toffee and dried fruit sit on a firm, slightly smoky oak backbone, and the finish turns peppery and long.
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.
- Go with Jefferson's Reserve Very Old if you want a mature, oak-driven blend with dried fruit and a dry, peppery finish at an easy proof at a lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat (Elijah Craig Barrel Proof); neat, rocks (Jefferson's Reserve Very Old).