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Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel vs Four Roses Bourbon
Comparing Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel and Four Roses Bourbon reveals a matchup between a traditional, even-keeled Kentucky staple and a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel | Four Roses Bourbon |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | 75% corn, 20% rye, 5% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 94 proof (47% ABV) +14 proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$60 – $80 | ~$22 – $28 ~$45 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.
Four Roses Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel Four Roses Bourbon
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 9/3 oak: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 9 out of 10, Four Roses Bourbon 3 out of 10
sweetness 8/6 sweetness: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 8 out of 10, Four Roses Bourbon 6 out of 10
fruit 4/6 fruit: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 4 out of 10, Four Roses Bourbon 6 out of 10
heat 4/2 heat: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 4 out of 10, Four Roses Bourbon 2 out of 10
nuttiness 5/3 nuttiness: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 5 out of 10, Four Roses Bourbon 3 out of 10
spice 5/5 spice: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 5 out of 10, Four Roses Bourbon 5 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.
- Four Roses Bourbon: The yellow label entry point, blending all ten Four Roses recipes at a gentle 80 proof. Light and fruity to a fault, but the house floral character is already recognisable and it mixes beautifully.
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 more proof behind it.
- Go with Four Roses Bourbon if you want the Four Roses fruit-and-floral signature at its lightest and cheapest without hunting for it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel); cocktails, highball, rocks (Four Roses Bourbon).