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Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel vs Evan Williams Black Label
Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel and Evan Williams Black Label are cut from similar cloth: two takes on traditional bourbons, where the real difference is price (~$60 – $80 vs. ~$14 – $18).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel | Evan Williams Black Label |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 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) +8 proof | 86 proof (43% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$60 – $80 | ~$14 – $18 ~$54 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.
Evan Williams Black Label
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel Evan Williams Black Label
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 9/5 oak: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 9 out of 10, Evan Williams Black Label 5 out of 10
sweetness 8/6 sweetness: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 8 out of 10, Evan Williams Black Label 6 out of 10
spice 5/4 spice: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 5 out of 10, Evan Williams Black Label 4 out of 10
heat 4/3 heat: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 4 out of 10, Evan Williams Black Label 3 out of 10
nuttiness 5/4 nuttiness: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 5 out of 10, Evan Williams Black Label 4 out of 10
fruit 4/4 fruit: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 4 out of 10, Evan Williams Black Label 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- 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.
- Evan Williams Black Label: The everyday black label, and a perfectly competent well bourbon. Softer and sweeter than the bonded version, with less to say but nothing objectionable.
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 with slightly more proof behind it.
- Go with Evan Williams Black Label if you want a dependable, inexpensive mixing bourbon and nothing more complicated than that at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel); cocktails, highball, rocks (Evan Williams Black Label).