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Elijah Craig Small Batch vs Penelope Toasted Series
Comparing Elijah Craig Small Batch and Penelope Toasted Series reveals a matchup between a traditional, even-keeled Kentucky staple and a sourced, spice-driven blend.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Elijah Craig Small Batch | Penelope Toasted Series |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% 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 ~$31 less | ~$55 – $70 |
- 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.
Penelope Toasted Series
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Elijah Craig Small Batch Penelope Toasted Series
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Elijah Craig Small Batch 6 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 7 out of 10
heat 4/5 heat: Elijah Craig Small Batch 4 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 5 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Elijah Craig Small Batch 4 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 3 out of 10
spice 5/5 spice: Elijah Craig Small Batch 5 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 5 out of 10
oak 7/7 oak: Elijah Craig Small Batch 7 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 7 out of 10
fruit 4/4 fruit: Elijah Craig Small Batch 4 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 4 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.
- Penelope Toasted Series: Finished in a second, freshly toasted barrel, which pushes it toward toffee, roasted coffee and darker oak. The toast level changes from batch to batch.
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 Penelope Toasted Series if you want a toasty, coffee-and-toffee bourbon from a second-barrel finish with slightly more proof behind it and with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Elijah Craig Small Batch); neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Toasted Series).