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Elijah Craig Small Batch vs Stagg
Comparing Elijah Craig Small Batch and Stagg reveals a matchup between a traditional, even-keeled Kentucky staple and an uncut, cask-strength bruiser.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Elijah Craig Small Batch | Stagg |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 94 proof (47% ABV) | 130 proof (65% ABV) +36 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$28 – $35 ~$64 less | ~$70 – $120 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- Stagg 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.
Stagg
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Elijah Craig Small Batch Stagg
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 4/10 heat: Elijah Craig Small Batch 4 out of 10, Stagg 10 out of 10
spice 5/7 spice: Elijah Craig Small Batch 5 out of 10, Stagg 7 out of 10
oak 7/9 oak: Elijah Craig Small Batch 7 out of 10, Stagg 9 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Elijah Craig Small Batch 6 out of 10, Stagg 7 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: Elijah Craig Small Batch 4 out of 10, Stagg 5 out of 10
nuttiness 4/4 nuttiness: Elijah Craig Small Batch 4 out of 10, Stagg 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Proof and heat dominate the difference.
- 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.
- Stagg: Uncut and unfiltered Buffalo Trace at a proof that demands respect. Dark chocolate, espresso and charred oak arrive with genuine heat, and a few drops of water unlock a surprising amount of fruit.
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 Stagg if you want the biggest, hottest, most concentrated expression of the Buffalo Trace profile with significantly more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Elijah Craig Small Batch); neat (Stagg).