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Jefferson’s Very Small Batch vs Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel
On paper Jefferson’s Very Small Batch and Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel are near neighbours — both traditional bourbons — so price (~$28 – $36 vs. ~$60 – $80) is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Jefferson’s Very Small Batch | Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 82.3 proof (41.1% ABV) | 94 proof (47% ABV) +12 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$28 – $36 ~$38 less | ~$60 – $80 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 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
Jefferson’s Very Small Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Jefferson’s Very Small Batch Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 4/9 oak: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 4 out of 10, Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 9 out of 10
sweetness 6/8 sweetness: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 6 out of 10, Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 8 out of 10
heat 2/4 heat: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 2 out of 10, Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/5 nuttiness: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 3 out of 10, Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 5 out of 10
spice 4/5 spice: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 4 out of 10, Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 5 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 5 out of 10, Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Oak is doing most of the differentiating here.
- Jefferson’s Very Small Batch: A blend of sourced barrels bottled at a very gentle 82.3 proof. Easy and inoffensive, but thin enough that it is hard to recommend over bonded bottles costing less.
- 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 Jefferson’s Very Small Batch if you want an especially soft, low-proof pour and gentleness matters more than intensity at a significantly lower price point.
- 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 rocks, cocktails, highball (Jefferson’s Very Small Batch); neat, rocks (Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel).