Compare
Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel vs Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond
Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel and Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an old-guard, classically built classic versus an old-guard, wheat-forward classic.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel | Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | 68% corn, 20% wheat, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 9 years |
| Proof | 94 proof (47% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +6 proof |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$60 – $80 ~$75 less | ~$110 – $180 |
| Availability | Limited easier to find | Allocated |
- 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.
Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 5/2 spice: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 5 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 2 out of 10
oak 9/7 oak: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 9 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10
fruit 4/6 fruit: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 4 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10
nuttiness 5/3 nuttiness: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 5 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10
sweetness 8/8 sweetness: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 8 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 8 out of 10
heat 4/4 heat: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 4 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The gap between these two is mostly about spice.
- 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.
- Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond: The decanter series, released twice a year at varying ages, and Heaven Hill's most serious wheated statement. Age shows as polished oak and stewed fruit rather than tannin, but you pay handsomely for the bottle.
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 at a significantly lower price point.
- Go with Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond if you want an aged, bonded wheater in a presentation bottle and the price is not the obstacle with slightly more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel); neat (Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond).