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Elijah Craig Small Batch vs Woodford Reserve Double Oaked
Comparing Elijah Craig Small Batch and Woodford Reserve Double Oaked reveals a matchup between a traditional, even-keeled Kentucky staple and a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Elijah Craig Small Batch | Woodford Reserve Double Oaked |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 94 proof (47% ABV) +4 proof | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$28 – $35 ~$25 less | ~$50 – $62 |
- 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.
Woodford Reserve Double Oaked
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Elijah Craig Small Batch Woodford Reserve Double Oaked
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 6/8 sweetness: Elijah Craig Small Batch 6 out of 10, Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 8 out of 10
oak 7/9 oak: Elijah Craig Small Batch 7 out of 10, Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 9 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: Elijah Craig Small Batch 4 out of 10, Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 5 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Elijah Craig Small Batch 4 out of 10, Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 3 out of 10
spice 5/5 spice: Elijah Craig Small Batch 5 out of 10, Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 5 out of 10
heat 4/4 heat: Elijah Craig Small Batch 4 out of 10, Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Sweetness is where these two part ways.
- 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.
- Woodford Reserve Double Oaked: A second barrel, deeply toasted, and the result is unashamedly dessert-like. Maple and caramelised sugar with heavy wood — polarising if you want restraint, excellent if you want sweetness.
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 Woodford Reserve Double Oaked if you want an overtly sweet, heavily oaked, dessert-leaning bourbon.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Elijah Craig Small Batch); neat, rocks (Woodford Reserve Double Oaked).