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Elijah Craig Small Batch vs Horse Soldier Barrel Strength
Put Elijah Craig Small Batch next to Horse Soldier Barrel Strength and you have a classic, corn-forward stalwart set against an uncut, high-wheat heavyweight.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Elijah Craig Small Batch | Horse Soldier Barrel Strength |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | 70% corn, 20% wheat, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 94 proof (47% ABV) | 111 proof (55.5% ABV) +17 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$28 – $35 ~$50 less | ~$78 – $85 |
- Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 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.
Horse Soldier Barrel Strength
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Elijah Craig Small Batch Horse Soldier Barrel Strength
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 4/7 heat: Elijah Craig Small Batch 4 out of 10, Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 7 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Elijah Craig Small Batch 6 out of 10, Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 7 out of 10
oak 7/6 oak: Elijah Craig Small Batch 7 out of 10, Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 6 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: Elijah Craig Small Batch 4 out of 10, Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 5 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Elijah Craig Small Batch 4 out of 10, Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 3 out of 10
spice 5/5 spice: Elijah Craig Small Batch 5 out of 10, Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land very differently on the palate for heat.
- 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.
- Horse Soldier Barrel Strength: A barrel-strength wheater from the veteran-founded Horse Soldier brand. Brown sugar and toasted oak lead, baking spice and heat follow, and a splash of water pulls out darker fruit.
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 Horse Soldier Barrel Strength if you want a big, barrel-strength wheated bourbon with plenty of brown sugar and warmth with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Elijah Craig Small Batch); neat, old-fashioned (Horse Soldier Barrel Strength).