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Elijah Craig Small Batch vs Old Forester Statesman
Comparing Elijah Craig Small Batch and Old Forester Statesman reveals a matchup between a traditional, even-keeled Kentucky staple and a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Elijah Craig Small Batch | Old Forester Statesman |
|---|---|---|
| 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) | 95 proof (47.5% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$28 – $35 ~$21 less | ~$50 – $55 |
- 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 Statesman
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Elijah Craig Small Batch Old Forester Statesman
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 4/7 fruit: Elijah Craig Small Batch 4 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 7 out of 10
sweetness 6/8 sweetness: Elijah Craig Small Batch 6 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 8 out of 10
oak 7/5 oak: Elijah Craig Small Batch 7 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10
nuttiness 4/2 nuttiness: Elijah Craig Small Batch 4 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 2 out of 10
spice 5/5 spice: Elijah Craig Small Batch 5 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10
heat 4/4 heat: Elijah Craig Small Batch 4 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The fruit-versus-grain contrast drives this one.
- 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 Statesman: Old Forester's fruit-forward middle child, first made for a spy movie tie-in. Bright cherry and brown sugar lead, with cocoa and a touch of the house banana note.
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 Statesman if you want a bright, cherry-sweet Old Forester that sits between the 100 and 1920 in weight.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Elijah Craig Small Batch); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Old Forester Statesman).