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Elijah Craig Small Batch vs Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond
Put Elijah Craig Small Batch next to Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond and you have a classic, corn-forward stalwart set against a classic, high-wheat stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Elijah Craig Small Batch | Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | 68% corn, 20% wheat, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 9 years |
| Proof | 94 proof (47% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +6 proof |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$28 – $35 ~$114 less | ~$110 – $180 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Allocated |
- 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.
Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Elijah Craig Small Batch Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 5/2 spice: Elijah Craig Small Batch 5 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 2 out of 10
sweetness 6/8 sweetness: Elijah Craig Small Batch 6 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 8 out of 10
fruit 4/6 fruit: Elijah Craig Small Batch 4 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Elijah Craig Small Batch 4 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10
oak 7/7 oak: Elijah Craig Small Batch 7 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10
heat 4/4 heat: Elijah Craig Small Batch 4 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Rye spice is the dividing line here.
- 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.
- Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond: The decanter series, released twice a year at varying ages, and Heaven Hill's most serious wheated statement. Age shows as polished oak and stewed fruit rather than tannin, but you pay handsomely for the bottle.
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 Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond if you want an aged, bonded wheater in a presentation bottle and the price is not the obstacle with slightly more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Elijah Craig Small Batch); neat (Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond).