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Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel vs Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve
Comparing Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel and Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve reveals a matchup between a traditional, even-keeled Kentucky staple and a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel | Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 9 years |
| Proof | 94 proof (47% ABV) | 120 proof (60% ABV) +26 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$60 – $80 | ~$45 – $55 ~$20 less |
| Availability | Limited | Widely available easier to find |
- Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 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.
Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 4/8 heat: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 4 out of 10, Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 8 out of 10
sweetness 8/6 sweetness: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 8 out of 10, Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 6 out of 10
spice 5/7 spice: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 5 out of 10, Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 7 out of 10
nuttiness 5/7 nuttiness: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 5 out of 10, Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 7 out of 10
oak 9/8 oak: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 9 out of 10, Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 8 out of 10
fruit 4/3 fruit: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 4 out of 10, Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land very differently on the palate for heat.
- 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.
- Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve: The same nine-year Knob Creek juice bottled from a single barrel at 120 proof, and the extra strength suits it. Everything the standard bottling does, turned up — with the barrel-to-barrel variation that comes with the format.
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 Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve if you want the Beam profile at serious proof for well under what most barrel-strength bourbons cost without hunting for it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel); neat, old-fashioned (Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve).