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Elijah Craig Small Batch vs Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof
Put Elijah Craig Small Batch next to Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof and you have a classic, corn-forward stalwart set against a full-proof, unfiltered heavyweight.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Elijah Craig Small Batch | Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 13 years |
| Proof | 94 proof (47% ABV) | 123.8 proof (61.9% ABV) +30 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$28 – $35 ~$219 less | ~$200 – $300 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 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.
Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Elijah Craig Small Batch Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 4/8 heat: Elijah Craig Small Batch 4 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 8 out of 10
sweetness 6/8 sweetness: Elijah Craig Small Batch 6 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 8 out of 10
fruit 4/6 fruit: Elijah Craig Small Batch 4 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 6 out of 10
spice 5/6 spice: Elijah Craig Small Batch 5 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 6 out of 10
oak 7/8 oak: Elijah Craig Small Batch 7 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 8 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Elijah Craig Small Batch 4 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land very differently on the palate for heat.
- 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 13 Year Barrel Proof: Thirteen-year Wild Turkey at full barrel proof, uncut and unfiltered. Cola, molasses and fruit cobbler sit on deep, charred oak, and each release carries its own proof.
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 13 Year Barrel Proof if you want an old, uncut Wild Turkey with cola, cobbler and serious oak with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Elijah Craig Small Batch); neat (Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof).