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Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel vs Uncle Nearest 1856
On paper Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel and Uncle Nearest 1856 are near neighbours — both traditional bourbons — so proof (94 vs. 100) is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel | Uncle Nearest 1856 |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Traditional Tennessee Whiskey |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 94 proof (47% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +6 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$60 – $80 | ~$55 – $70 ~$8 less |
| Availability | Limited | Widely available easier to find |
- Uncle Nearest 1856 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.
Uncle Nearest 1856
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel Uncle Nearest 1856
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 9/7 oak: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 9 out of 10, Uncle Nearest 1856 7 out of 10
sweetness 8/7 sweetness: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 8 out of 10, Uncle Nearest 1856 7 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 4 out of 10, Uncle Nearest 1856 5 out of 10
heat 4/5 heat: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 4 out of 10, Uncle Nearest 1856 5 out of 10
nuttiness 5/4 nuttiness: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 5 out of 10, Uncle Nearest 1856 4 out of 10
spice 5/5 spice: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 5 out of 10, Uncle Nearest 1856 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- 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.
- Uncle Nearest 1856: Named for Nathan 'Nearest' Green, the enslaved distiller who taught Jack Daniel, and now backed by the brand's own distillery in Shelbyville. Sweet and maple-leaning with the charcoal-mellowed softness of the style.
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 Uncle Nearest 1856 if you want a sweet, maple-forward Tennessee whiskey with a story worth knowing behind it at a slightly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Uncle Nearest 1856).