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Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel vs Jefferson's Reserve Very Old
Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel and Jefferson's Reserve Very Old are cut from similar cloth: two takes on traditional bourbons, where the real difference is price (~$60 – $80 vs. ~$55 – $65).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel | Jefferson's Reserve Very Old |
|---|---|---|
| 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) +4 proof | 90.2 proof (45.1% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$60 – $80 | ~$55 – $65 ~$10 less |
| Availability | Limited | Widely available easier to find |
- Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 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 Reserve Very Old
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel Jefferson's Reserve Very Old
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 8/6 sweetness: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 8 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 6 out of 10
oak 9/7 oak: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 9 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 7 out of 10
fruit 4/6 fruit: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 4 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 6 out of 10
nuttiness 5/3 nuttiness: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 5 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 3 out of 10
spice 5/5 spice: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 5 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 5 out of 10
heat 4/4 heat: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 4 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The clearest split is how sweet each one drinks.
- 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 Reserve Very Old: The older, drier sibling of Jefferson's Very Small Batch. Buttery toffee and dried fruit sit on a firm, slightly smoky oak backbone, and the finish turns peppery and long.
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 Jefferson's Reserve Very Old if you want a mature, oak-driven blend with dried fruit and a dry, peppery finish at an easy proof at a slightly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel); neat, rocks (Jefferson's Reserve Very Old).