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Elijah Craig Small Batch vs Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea
Elijah Craig Small Batch and Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea are cut from similar cloth: two takes on traditional bourbons, where the real difference is price (~$28 – $35 vs. ~$70 – $85).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Elijah Craig Small Batch | Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea |
|---|---|---|
| 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) +4 proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$28 – $35 ~$46 less | ~$70 – $85 |
- Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea 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 Ocean Aged at Sea
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Elijah Craig Small Batch Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 5/4 spice: Elijah Craig Small Batch 5 out of 10, Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea 4 out of 10
oak 7/6 oak: Elijah Craig Small Batch 7 out of 10, Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea 6 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: Elijah Craig Small Batch 4 out of 10, Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea 5 out of 10
heat 4/3 heat: Elijah Craig Small Batch 4 out of 10, Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea 3 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Elijah Craig Small Batch 4 out of 10, Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea 3 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Elijah Craig Small Batch 6 out of 10, Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea 6 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.
- Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea: Bourbon that spends months rocking in a ship's hold. Each voyage tastes a little different, but expect caramel and dark sugar with a savory, faintly salty edge from the trip.
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 Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea if you want a conversation-piece bourbon with a savory, slightly briny twist from aging at sea.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Elijah Craig Small Batch); neat, rocks (Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea).