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Elijah Craig Small Batch vs Wild Turkey Rare Breed
Comparing Elijah Craig Small Batch and Wild Turkey Rare Breed reveals a matchup between a traditional, even-keeled Kentucky staple and an uncut, spice-driven heavyweight.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Elijah Craig Small Batch | Wild Turkey Rare Breed |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 94 proof (47% ABV) | 116 proof (58% ABV) +22 proof |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$28 – $35 ~$19 less | ~$45 – $55 |
- 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.
Wild Turkey Rare Breed
Good flavor.
Flavor Profile
Elijah Craig Small Batch Wild Turkey Rare Breed
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 4/8 heat: Elijah Craig Small Batch 4 out of 10, Wild Turkey Rare Breed 8 out of 10
spice 5/8 spice: Elijah Craig Small Batch 5 out of 10, Wild Turkey Rare Breed 8 out of 10
oak 7/8 oak: Elijah Craig Small Batch 7 out of 10, Wild Turkey Rare Breed 8 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Elijah Craig Small Batch 4 out of 10, Wild Turkey Rare Breed 3 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Elijah Craig Small Batch 6 out of 10, Wild Turkey Rare Breed 6 out of 10
fruit 4/4 fruit: Elijah Craig Small Batch 4 out of 10, Wild Turkey Rare Breed 4 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.
- Wild Turkey Rare Breed: Barrel-proof Wild Turkey at a price that still looks like a mistake. Everything the 101 does with considerably more force, and one of the most consistently praised bottles in its category.
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 Wild Turkey Rare Breed if you want barrel-proof spice and oak with a reputation to match, at half what comparable bottles cost with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Elijah Craig Small Batch); neat, old-fashioned (Wild Turkey Rare Breed).