Compare
Four Roses Bourbon vs Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel
Comparing Four Roses Bourbon and Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel reveals a matchup between a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple and a traditional, even-keeled Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Four Roses Bourbon | Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 75% corn, 20% rye, 5% malted barley | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) | 94 proof (47% ABV) +14 proof |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$22 – $28 ~$45 less | ~$60 – $80 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Four Roses Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Four Roses Bourbon Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 3/9 oak: Four Roses Bourbon 3 out of 10, Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 9 out of 10
sweetness 6/8 sweetness: Four Roses Bourbon 6 out of 10, Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 8 out of 10
fruit 6/4 fruit: Four Roses Bourbon 6 out of 10, Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 4 out of 10
heat 2/4 heat: Four Roses Bourbon 2 out of 10, Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/5 nuttiness: Four Roses Bourbon 3 out of 10, Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 5 out of 10
spice 5/5 spice: Four Roses Bourbon 5 out of 10, Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- Four Roses Bourbon: The yellow label entry point, blending all ten Four Roses recipes at a gentle 80 proof. Light and fruity to a fault, but the house floral character is already recognisable and it mixes beautifully.
- 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.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Four Roses Bourbon if you want the Four Roses fruit-and-floral signature at its lightest and cheapest without hunting for it.
- Go with Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel if you want a distinctive toasted-oak, marshmallow-sweet finish you will not find in a standard bourbon with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed cocktails, highball, rocks (Four Roses Bourbon); neat, rocks (Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel).