Compare
Elijah Craig Small Batch vs Jefferson’s Very Small Batch
Comparing Elijah Craig Small Batch and Jefferson’s Very Small Batch is a closer contest than it looks — both are traditional bourbons, separated mainly by proof (94 vs. 82.3).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Elijah Craig Small Batch | Jefferson’s Very Small Batch |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 94 proof (47% ABV) +12 proof | 82.3 proof (41.1% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$28 – $35 | ~$28 – $36 |
- Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 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.
Jefferson’s Very Small Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Elijah Craig Small Batch Jefferson’s Very Small Batch
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 7/4 oak: Elijah Craig Small Batch 7 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 4 out of 10
heat 4/2 heat: Elijah Craig Small Batch 4 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 2 out of 10
spice 5/4 spice: Elijah Craig Small Batch 5 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 4 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: Elijah Craig Small Batch 4 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 5 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Elijah Craig Small Batch 4 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 3 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Elijah Craig Small Batch 6 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- 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.
- Jefferson’s Very Small Batch: A blend of sourced barrels bottled at a very gentle 82.3 proof. Easy and inoffensive, but thin enough that it is hard to recommend over bonded bottles costing less.
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 with more proof behind it.
- Go with Jefferson’s Very Small Batch if you want an especially soft, low-proof pour and gentleness matters more than intensity.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Elijah Craig Small Batch); rocks, cocktails, highball (Jefferson’s Very Small Batch).