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Old Forester Statesman vs Elijah Craig Small Batch
Comparing Old Forester Statesman and Elijah Craig Small Batch reveals a matchup between a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple and a traditional, even-keeled Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester Statesman | Elijah Craig Small Batch |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 95 proof (47.5% ABV) | 94 proof (47% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$50 – $55 | ~$28 – $35 ~$21 less |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-10; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Old Forester Statesman
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Elijah Craig Small Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester Statesman Elijah Craig Small Batch
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 7/4 fruit: Old Forester Statesman 7 out of 10, Elijah Craig Small Batch 4 out of 10
sweetness 8/6 sweetness: Old Forester Statesman 8 out of 10, Elijah Craig Small Batch 6 out of 10
oak 5/7 oak: Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10, Elijah Craig Small Batch 7 out of 10
nuttiness 2/4 nuttiness: Old Forester Statesman 2 out of 10, Elijah Craig Small Batch 4 out of 10
spice 5/5 spice: Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10, Elijah Craig Small Batch 5 out of 10
heat 4/4 heat: Old Forester Statesman 4 out of 10, Elijah Craig Small Batch 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The fruit-versus-grain contrast drives this one.
- Old Forester Statesman: Old Forester's fruit-forward middle child, first made for a spy movie tie-in. Bright cherry and brown sugar lead, with cocoa and a touch of the house banana note.
- 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 Forester Statesman if you want a bright, cherry-sweet Old Forester that sits between the 100 and 1920 in weight.
- 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, rocks, old-fashioned (Old Forester Statesman); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Elijah Craig Small Batch).