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Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond vs Elijah Craig Small Batch
Put Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond next to Elijah Craig Small Batch and you have a classic, high-wheat stalwart set against a classic, corn-forward stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond | Elijah Craig Small Batch |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 68% corn, 20% wheat, 12% malted barley | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | 9 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) +6 proof | 94 proof (47% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$110 – $180 | ~$28 – $35 ~$114 less |
| Availability | Allocated | Widely available easier to find |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Elijah Craig Small Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond Elijah Craig Small Batch
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 2/5 spice: Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 2 out of 10, Elijah Craig Small Batch 5 out of 10
sweetness 8/6 sweetness: Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 8 out of 10, Elijah Craig Small Batch 6 out of 10
fruit 6/4 fruit: Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10, Elijah Craig Small Batch 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10, Elijah Craig Small Batch 4 out of 10
oak 7/7 oak: Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10, Elijah Craig Small Batch 7 out of 10
heat 4/4 heat: Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10, Elijah Craig Small Batch 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Rye spice is the dividing line here.
- 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.
- Elijah Craig Small Batch: A heavily oak-driven pour for the money, with vanilla bean and brown sugar riding on top of real char and smoke. The extra age shows up as wood depth rather than harshness.
Which One Should You Choose?
- 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.
- Go with Elijah Craig Small Batch if you want the best oak-forward value on the shelf, with more wood character than its price suggests.
Best enjoyed neat (Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Elijah Craig Small Batch).