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Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel vs Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon
Comparing Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel and Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon reveals a matchup between a traditional, even-keeled Kentucky staple and a sourced, wheated blend.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel | Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | 72% corn, 18% wheat, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 5 years |
| Proof | 94 proof (47% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +6 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$60 – $80 | ~$49 – $55 ~$18 less |
- Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon 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.
Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 9/6 oak: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 9 out of 10, Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon 6 out of 10
sweetness 8/7 sweetness: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 8 out of 10, Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon 7 out of 10
fruit 4/3 fruit: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 4 out of 10, Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon 3 out of 10
heat 4/5 heat: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 4 out of 10, Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon 5 out of 10
spice 5/5 spice: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 5 out of 10, Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon 5 out of 10
nuttiness 5/5 nuttiness: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 5 out of 10, Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon 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.
- Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon: A Notre Dame-licensed wheater given a second, double-oaked barrel. Maple, honey butter and toasted nuts lead, with charred wood and pepper on a long, warm finish.
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 Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon if you want a double-oaked wheater with maple, toasted nuts and charred wood at a lower price point and with slightly more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel); neat, old-fashioned (Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon).