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Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel vs Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat
Comparing Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel and Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat reveals a matchup between a traditional, even-keeled Kentucky staple and a modern, wheated craft expression.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel | Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | 53% corn, 39% wheat, 8% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 6 years |
| Proof | 94 proof (47% ABV) | 106 proof (53% ABV) +12 proof |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$60 – $80 | ~$50 – $55 ~$18 less |
| Availability | Limited | Widely available easier to find |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat
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Flavor Profile
Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 9/5 oak: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 9 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 5 out of 10
fruit 4/8 fruit: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 4 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 8 out of 10
nuttiness 5/2 nuttiness: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 5 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 2 out of 10
spice 5/3 spice: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 5 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 3 out of 10
sweetness 8/7 sweetness: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 8 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 7 out of 10
heat 4/5 heat: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 4 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Oak is doing most of the differentiating here.
- Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel: Finished in a second toasted (not charred) barrel, which produces an unmistakable toasted-marshmallow note. Sweet and heavily wooded, and one of the more distinctive finishes any major producer makes.
- Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat: Because wheat makes up a massive 39% of the mash bill, this pour trades the aggressive spice of rye for a softer, oily mouthfeel. Expect bright fruit notes like ripe apricot and lemon on the nose, transitioning to pastry dough, light oak, and a creamy creme brulee sweetness balanced by a mild peppery backbone.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel if you want a distinctive toasted-oak, marshmallow-sweet finish you will not find in a standard bourbon.
- Go with Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat if you want a softer, fruit-forward, contemporary profile with a richer, oily texture and lower emphasis on traditional oak at a lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel); neat, rocks (Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat).