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Elijah Craig Small Batch vs Kentucky Owl Batch 12
Comparing Elijah Craig Small Batch and Kentucky Owl Batch 12 reveals a matchup between a traditional, even-keeled Kentucky staple and an uncut, cask-strength bruiser.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Elijah Craig Small Batch | Kentucky Owl Batch 12 |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 94 proof (47% ABV) | 115.8 proof (57.9% ABV) +22 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$28 – $35 ~$319 less | ~$300 – $400 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- Kentucky Owl Batch 12 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.
Kentucky Owl Batch 12
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Elijah Craig Small Batch Kentucky Owl Batch 12
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 4/7 heat: Elijah Craig Small Batch 4 out of 10, Kentucky Owl Batch 12 7 out of 10
spice 5/7 spice: Elijah Craig Small Batch 5 out of 10, Kentucky Owl Batch 12 7 out of 10
oak 7/8 oak: Elijah Craig Small Batch 7 out of 10, Kentucky Owl Batch 12 8 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Elijah Craig Small Batch 4 out of 10, Kentucky Owl Batch 12 3 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Elijah Craig Small Batch 6 out of 10, Kentucky Owl Batch 12 6 out of 10
fruit 4/4 fruit: Elijah Craig Small Batch 4 out of 10, Kentucky Owl Batch 12 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Proof and heat dominate the difference.
- 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.
- Kentucky Owl Batch 12: A high-end blend of young and older sourced Kentucky bourbons. Leather, smoky oak and caramel, with a peppery, spice-forward palate.
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 Kentucky Owl Batch 12 if you want a spicy, leathery, high-end blended bourbon with more proof behind it and with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Elijah Craig Small Batch); neat (Kentucky Owl Batch 12).