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Elijah Craig Barrel Proof vs Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond
Comparing Elijah Craig Barrel Proof and Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond reveals a matchup between an uncut, cask-strength bruiser and a traditional, wheated Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Elijah Craig Barrel Proof | Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | 68% corn, 20% wheat, 12% malted barley |
| Age | 12 years +3 yr | 9 years |
| Proof | 124 proof (62% ABV) +24 proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$70 – $100 ~$60 less | ~$110 – $180 |
| Availability | Limited easier to find | Allocated |
- 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.
Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 7/2 spice: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 7 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 2 out of 10
heat 9/4 heat: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 9 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10
oak 9/7 oak: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 9 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10
fruit 4/6 fruit: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 4 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10
sweetness 7/8 sweetness: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 7 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 8 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 4 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The gap between these two is mostly about spice.
- 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.
- Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond: The decanter series, released twice a year at varying ages, and Heaven Hill's most serious wheated statement. Age shows as polished oak and stewed fruit rather than tannin, but you pay handsomely for the bottle.
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 at a significantly lower price point.
- Go with Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond if you want an aged, bonded wheater in a presentation bottle and the price is not the obstacle.
Best enjoyed neat (Elijah Craig Barrel Proof); neat (Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond).