Compare
Elijah Craig Small Batch vs Michter's US*1 Small Batch
Elijah Craig Small Batch and Michter's US*1 Small Batch are cut from similar cloth: two takes on traditional bourbons, where the real difference is price (~$28 – $35 vs. ~$45 – $55).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Elijah Craig Small Batch | Michter's US*1 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) +3 proof | 91.4 proof (45.7% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$28 – $35 ~$19 less | ~$45 – $55 |
- Michter's US*1 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.
Michter's US*1 Small Batch
No notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Elijah Craig Small Batch Michter's US*1 Small Batch
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 7/5 oak: Elijah Craig Small Batch 7 out of 10, Michter's US*1 Small Batch 5 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Elijah Craig Small Batch 6 out of 10, Michter's US*1 Small Batch 7 out of 10
spice 5/4 spice: Elijah Craig Small Batch 5 out of 10, Michter's US*1 Small Batch 4 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: Elijah Craig Small Batch 4 out of 10, Michter's US*1 Small Batch 5 out of 10
heat 4/3 heat: Elijah Craig Small Batch 4 out of 10, Michter's US*1 Small Batch 3 out of 10
nuttiness 4/4 nuttiness: Elijah Craig Small Batch 4 out of 10, Michter's US*1 Small Batch 4 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.
- Michter's US*1 Small Batch: Polished and easy-drinking, with butterscotch and stone fruit and very little rough edge. What you pay for is refinement and mouthfeel rather than age or proof.
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 Michter's US*1 Small Batch if you want a smooth, polished pour with a premium feel and no rough edges with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Elijah Craig Small Batch); neat, rocks (Michter's US*1 Small Batch).