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Elijah Craig Barrel Proof vs Old Grand-Dad 114
Put Elijah Craig Barrel Proof next to Old Grand-Dad 114 and you have a full-proof, unfiltered heavyweight set against a classic, high-rye stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Elijah Craig Barrel Proof | Old Grand-Dad 114 |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | 63% corn, 27% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | 12 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 124 proof (62% ABV) +10 proof | 114 proof (57% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$70 – $100 | ~$28 – $35 ~$54 less |
| Availability | Limited | Widely available easier to find |
- Old Grand-Dad 114 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.
Old Grand-Dad 114
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Old Grand-Dad 114
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 9/6 oak: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 9 out of 10, Old Grand-Dad 114 6 out of 10
spice 7/9 spice: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 7 out of 10, Old Grand-Dad 114 9 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 7 out of 10, Old Grand-Dad 114 6 out of 10
heat 9/8 heat: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 9 out of 10, Old Grand-Dad 114 8 out of 10
nuttiness 4/5 nuttiness: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 4 out of 10, Old Grand-Dad 114 5 out of 10
fruit 4/4 fruit: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 4 out of 10, Old Grand-Dad 114 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- 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 Grand-Dad 114: The best proof-per-dollar in American whiskey and it is not especially close. The 27% rye mash at 114 proof is loud, peppery and completely unsubtle, which is exactly why it makes such a good old-fashioned.
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 Old Grand-Dad 114 if you want maximum rye spice and proof for under thirty dollars without hunting for it.
Best enjoyed neat (Elijah Craig Barrel Proof); neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Old Grand-Dad 114).