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Elijah Craig Small Batch vs Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon
Elijah Craig Small Batch and Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an old-guard, classically built classic versus a blender-built, wheat-forward bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Elijah Craig Small Batch | Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | 72% corn, 18% wheat, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 5 years |
| Proof | 94 proof (47% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +6 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$28 – $35 ~$21 less | ~$49 – $55 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon 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.
Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Elijah Craig Small Batch Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Elijah Craig Small Batch 6 out of 10, Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon 7 out of 10
oak 7/6 oak: Elijah Craig Small Batch 7 out of 10, Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon 6 out of 10
fruit 4/3 fruit: Elijah Craig Small Batch 4 out of 10, Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon 3 out of 10
heat 4/5 heat: Elijah Craig Small Batch 4 out of 10, Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon 5 out of 10
nuttiness 4/5 nuttiness: Elijah Craig Small Batch 4 out of 10, Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon 5 out of 10
spice 5/5 spice: Elijah Craig Small Batch 5 out of 10, Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon 5 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.
- Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon: A Notre Dame-licensed wheater given a second, double-oaked barrel. Maple, honey butter and toasted nuts lead, with charred wood and pepper on a long, warm finish.
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 Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon if you want a double-oaked wheater with maple, toasted nuts and charred wood with slightly more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Elijah Craig Small Batch); neat, old-fashioned (Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon).