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Elijah Craig Barrel Proof vs Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon
Comparing Elijah Craig Barrel Proof and Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon reveals a matchup between an uncut, cask-strength bruiser and a modern, wheated craft expression.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Elijah Craig Barrel Proof | Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | 70% corn, 5% rye, 25% wheat |
| Age | 12 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 124 proof (62% ABV) +34 proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$70 – $100 | ~$45 – $55 ~$35 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.
Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon
Didn't care for this one.
Flavor Profile
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 9/4 oak: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 9 out of 10, Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon 4 out of 10
heat 9/5 heat: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 9 out of 10, Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon 5 out of 10
spice 7/4 spice: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 7 out of 10, Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon 4 out of 10
nuttiness 4/2 nuttiness: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 4 out of 10, Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon 2 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 7 out of 10, Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon 6 out of 10
fruit 4/4 fruit: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 4 out of 10, Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Oak is doing most of the differentiating here.
- 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.
- Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon: An organic, wheat-heavy bourbon from a Michigan craft distillery. It stays round and caramel sweet on the palate with a peppery edge, while the nose is quiet and still a little young.
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 Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon if you want an organic, Midwest craft wheater with a round, caramel-forward body at a significantly lower price point and without hunting for it.
Best enjoyed neat (Elijah Craig Barrel Proof); rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon).