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Penelope Toasted Series vs Elijah Craig Small Batch
Comparing Penelope Toasted Series and Elijah Craig Small Batch reveals a matchup between a blender-built, spice-driven bottling and a traditional, even-keeled Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Penelope Toasted Series | Elijah Craig Small Batch |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) +6 proof | 94 proof (47% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$55 – $70 | ~$28 – $35 ~$31 less |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-10; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Penelope Toasted Series
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Elijah Craig Small Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Penelope Toasted Series Elijah Craig Small Batch
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Penelope Toasted Series 7 out of 10, Elijah Craig Small Batch 6 out of 10
heat 5/4 heat: Penelope Toasted Series 5 out of 10, Elijah Craig Small Batch 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Penelope Toasted Series 3 out of 10, Elijah Craig Small Batch 4 out of 10
spice 5/5 spice: Penelope Toasted Series 5 out of 10, Elijah Craig Small Batch 5 out of 10
oak 7/7 oak: Penelope Toasted Series 7 out of 10, Elijah Craig Small Batch 7 out of 10
fruit 4/4 fruit: Penelope Toasted Series 4 out of 10, Elijah Craig Small Batch 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land close together on every flavor axis — the differences are in texture and proof more than character.
- Penelope Toasted Series: Finished in a second, freshly toasted barrel, which pushes it toward toffee, roasted coffee and darker oak. The toast level changes from batch to batch.
- 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 Penelope Toasted Series if you want a toasty, coffee-and-toffee bourbon from a second-barrel finish with slightly more proof behind it and with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
- 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-fashioned (Penelope Toasted Series); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Elijah Craig Small Batch).