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Elijah Craig Small Batch vs Buffalo Trace
On paper Elijah Craig Small Batch and Buffalo Trace are near neighbours — both traditional bourbons — so proof (94 vs. 90) is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Elijah Craig Small Batch | Buffalo Trace |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 94 proof (47% ABV) +4 proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$28 – $35 | ~$28 – $35 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- Buffalo Trace 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 Small Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Buffalo Trace
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Elijah Craig Small Batch Buffalo Trace
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 7/6 oak: Elijah Craig Small Batch 7 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 6 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: Elijah Craig Small Batch 4 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 5 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Elijah Craig Small Batch 6 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 6 out of 10
spice 5/5 spice: Elijah Craig Small Batch 5 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 5 out of 10
heat 4/4 heat: Elijah Craig Small Batch 4 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 4 out of 10
nuttiness 4/4 nuttiness: Elijah Craig Small Batch 4 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land close together on every flavor axis — the differences are in texture and proof more than character.
- Elijah Craig Small Batch: A heavily oak-driven pour for the money, with vanilla bean and brown sugar riding on top of real char and smoke. The extra age shows up as wood depth rather than harshness.
- Buffalo Trace: The reference-point Kentucky bourbon: balanced brown sugar and vanilla sweetness, a whisper of mint, and just enough oak and spice to keep it interesting. Nothing is loud, which is exactly the point at 90 proof.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Elijah Craig Small Batch if you want the best oak-forward value on the shelf, with more wood character than its price suggests.
- Go with Buffalo Trace if you want the balanced, everyday Kentucky benchmark that does nothing wrong at a fair price.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Elijah Craig Small Batch); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Buffalo Trace).