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Elijah Craig Small Batch vs Jefferson's Reserve Very Old
Elijah Craig Small Batch and Jefferson's Reserve Very Old are cut from similar cloth: two takes on traditional bourbons, where the real difference is price (~$28 – $35 vs. ~$55 – $65).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Elijah Craig Small Batch | Jefferson's Reserve Very Old |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 90.2 proof (45.1% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$28 – $35 ~$29 less | ~$55 – $65 |
- Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 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 Reserve Very Old
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Elijah Craig Small Batch Jefferson's Reserve Very Old
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 4/6 fruit: Elijah Craig Small Batch 4 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 6 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Elijah Craig Small Batch 4 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 3 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Elijah Craig Small Batch 6 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 6 out of 10
spice 5/5 spice: Elijah Craig Small Batch 5 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 5 out of 10
oak 7/7 oak: Elijah Craig Small Batch 7 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 7 out of 10
heat 4/4 heat: Elijah Craig Small Batch 4 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Fruit character is what sets these apart.
- 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 Reserve Very Old: The older, drier sibling of Jefferson's Very Small Batch. Buttery toffee and dried fruit sit on a firm, slightly smoky oak backbone, and the finish turns peppery and long.
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 Reserve Very Old if you want a mature, oak-driven blend with dried fruit and a dry, peppery finish at an easy proof.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Elijah Craig Small Batch); neat, rocks (Jefferson's Reserve Very Old).