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Elijah Craig Small Batch vs Old Forester 100 Proof
Put Elijah Craig Small Batch next to Old Forester 100 Proof and you have a classic, corn-forward stalwart set against a classic, high-rye stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Elijah Craig Small Batch | Old Forester 100 Proof |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 94 proof (47% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +6 proof |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$28 – $35 | ~$26 – $32 |
- 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 Forester 100 Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Elijah Craig Small Batch Old Forester 100 Proof
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Elijah Craig Small Batch 6 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 7 out of 10
spice 5/6 spice: Elijah Craig Small Batch 5 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 6 out of 10
oak 7/6 oak: Elijah Craig Small Batch 7 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 6 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: Elijah Craig Small Batch 4 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 5 out of 10
heat 4/5 heat: Elijah Craig Small Batch 4 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 5 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Elijah Craig Small Batch 4 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land close together on every flavor axis — the differences are in texture and proof more than character.
- 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 Forester 100 Proof: The bottle most people should buy from this range: the same recipe as the 86 with enough proof to actually taste it. One of the strongest arguments on the shelf for spending six dollars more.
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 Forester 100 Proof if you want the best value in the Old Forester range and a superb old-fashioned base.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Elijah Craig Small Batch); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Old Forester 100 Proof).