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Elijah Craig Barrel Proof vs Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon

Comparing Elijah Craig Barrel Proof and Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon reveals a matchup between an uncut, cask-strength bruiser and a sourced, wheated blend.

Key Specifications

Feature Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon
Type / Style Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof Wheated Bourbon
Mash Bill 1 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley 72% corn, 18% wheat, 10% malted barley
Age 12 years +7 yr 5 years
Proof 124 proof (62% ABV) +24 proof 100 proof (50% ABV)
Approx. Price 2 ~$70 – $100 ~$49 – $55 ~$33 less
  1. Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon does not publish an official mash bill.
  2. 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 yet

No notes yet.

Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon

Not rated yet

No notes yet.

Flavor Profile

Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon
sweetnessspiceoakfruitheatnuttiness

Axis by axis, biggest gap first

heat 9/5 heat: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 9 out of 10, Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon 5 out of 10
oak 9/6 oak: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 9 out of 10, Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon 6 out of 10
spice 7/5 spice: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 7 out of 10, Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon 5 out of 10
fruit 4/3 fruit: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 4 out of 10, Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon 3 out of 10
nuttiness 4/5 nuttiness: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 4 out of 10, Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon 5 out of 10
sweetness 7/7 sweetness: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 7 out of 10, Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon 7 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.
  • Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon: A Notre Dame-licensed wheater given a second, double-oaked barrel. Maple, honey butter and toasted nuts lead, with charred wood and pepper on a long, warm finish.

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 an older age statement.
  • Go with Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon if you want a double-oaked wheater with maple, toasted nuts and charred wood at a significantly lower price point.

Best enjoyed neat (Elijah Craig Barrel Proof); neat, old-fashioned (Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon).