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Elijah Craig Small Batch vs Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon
On paper Elijah Craig Small Batch and Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon are near neighbours — both traditional bourbons — so price (~$28 – $35 vs. ~$85 – $100) is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Elijah Craig Small Batch | Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon |
|---|---|---|
| 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) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +6 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$28 – $35 ~$61 less | ~$85 – $100 |
- Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 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.
Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Elijah Craig Small Batch Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 4/8 fruit: Elijah Craig Small Batch 4 out of 10, Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 8 out of 10
sweetness 6/8 sweetness: Elijah Craig Small Batch 6 out of 10, Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 8 out of 10
oak 7/6 oak: Elijah Craig Small Batch 7 out of 10, Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 6 out of 10
heat 4/5 heat: Elijah Craig Small Batch 4 out of 10, Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 5 out of 10
nuttiness 4/5 nuttiness: Elijah Craig Small Batch 4 out of 10, Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 5 out of 10
spice 5/5 spice: Elijah Craig Small Batch 5 out of 10, Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 5 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.
- Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon: Finished in Oloroso sherry, Pedro Ximenez sherry and Cognac casks. The casks layer dried fruit, orange and dark chocolate over the bourbon and leave a long, clove-spiced finish.
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 Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon if you want a sherry-and-Cognac-finished bourbon full of dried fruit and dark chocolate with slightly more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Elijah Craig Small Batch); neat (Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon).