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Elijah Craig Small Batch vs Old Grand-Dad Bonded
Comparing Elijah Craig Small Batch and Old Grand-Dad Bonded 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 Grand-Dad Bonded |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | 63% corn, 27% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 4 years |
| Proof | 94 proof (47% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +6 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$28 – $35 | ~$24 – $30 |
- Old Grand-Dad Bonded 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.
Old Grand-Dad Bonded
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Elijah Craig Small Batch Old Grand-Dad Bonded
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 5/8 spice: Elijah Craig Small Batch 5 out of 10, Old Grand-Dad Bonded 8 out of 10
oak 7/5 oak: Elijah Craig Small Batch 7 out of 10, Old Grand-Dad Bonded 5 out of 10
heat 4/6 heat: Elijah Craig Small Batch 4 out of 10, Old Grand-Dad Bonded 6 out of 10
sweetness 6/5 sweetness: Elijah Craig Small Batch 6 out of 10, Old Grand-Dad Bonded 5 out of 10
nuttiness 4/5 nuttiness: Elijah Craig Small Batch 4 out of 10, Old Grand-Dad Bonded 5 out of 10
fruit 4/4 fruit: Elijah Craig Small Batch 4 out of 10, Old Grand-Dad Bonded 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 Grand-Dad Bonded: A bonded 100-proof high-rye bourbon for the price of a mixer, and one of the great bargains on the shelf. Cleaner and less overwhelming than the 114 while keeping the peppery rye backbone.
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 Grand-Dad Bonded if you want a bonded, high-rye workhorse at mixer money with slightly more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Elijah Craig Small Batch); neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Old Grand-Dad Bonded).