Compare
Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel vs Jefferson’s Very Small Batch
On paper Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel and Jefferson’s Very Small Batch are near neighbours — both traditional bourbons — so price (~$60 – $80 vs. ~$28 – $36) is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel | Jefferson’s Very Small Batch |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 94 proof (47% ABV) +12 proof | 82.3 proof (41.1% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$60 – $80 | ~$28 – $36 ~$38 less |
| Availability | Limited | Widely available easier to find |
- Jefferson’s Very Small Batch does not publish an official mash bill.
- 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.
Jefferson’s Very Small Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel Jefferson’s Very Small Batch
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 9/4 oak: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 9 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 4 out of 10
sweetness 8/6 sweetness: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 8 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 6 out of 10
heat 4/2 heat: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 4 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 2 out of 10
nuttiness 5/3 nuttiness: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 5 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 3 out of 10
spice 5/4 spice: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 5 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 4 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 4 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 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.
- Jefferson’s Very Small Batch: A blend of sourced barrels bottled at a very gentle 82.3 proof. Easy and inoffensive, but thin enough that it is hard to recommend over bonded bottles costing less.
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 Jefferson’s Very Small Batch if you want an especially soft, low-proof pour and gentleness matters more than intensity at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel); rocks, cocktails, highball (Jefferson’s Very Small Batch).