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Elijah Craig Small Batch vs Russell’s Reserve 10 Year
Put Elijah Craig Small Batch next to Russell’s Reserve 10 Year and you have a classic, corn-forward stalwart set against a classic, high-rye stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Elijah Craig Small Batch | Russell’s Reserve 10 Year |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 10 years |
| Proof | 94 proof (47% ABV) +4 proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$28 – $35 ~$14 less | ~$40 – $50 |
- 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.
Russell’s Reserve 10 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Elijah Craig Small Batch Russell’s Reserve 10 Year
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 5/6 spice: Elijah Craig Small Batch 5 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 10 Year 6 out of 10
oak 7/8 oak: Elijah Craig Small Batch 7 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 10 Year 8 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Elijah Craig Small Batch 4 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 10 Year 3 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Elijah Craig Small Batch 6 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 10 Year 6 out of 10
fruit 4/4 fruit: Elijah Craig Small Batch 4 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 10 Year 4 out of 10
heat 4/4 heat: Elijah Craig Small Batch 4 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 10 Year 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.
- Russell’s Reserve 10 Year: Ten years of Wild Turkey at a restrained 90 proof, which trades the 101's punch for polish. More oak and more composure, and one of the better age-stated bottles at its price.
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 Russell’s Reserve 10 Year if you want an age-stated, oak-forward Wild Turkey with the volume turned down.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Elijah Craig Small Batch); neat, rocks (Russell’s Reserve 10 Year).