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Uncle Nearest 1856 vs Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel
On paper Uncle Nearest 1856 and Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel are near neighbours — both traditional Tennessee whiskeys — so proof (100 vs. 94) is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Uncle Nearest 1856 | Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Tennessee Whiskey | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 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 2 | ~$55 – $70 ~$8 less | ~$60 – $80 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- Uncle Nearest 1856 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
Uncle Nearest 1856
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Uncle Nearest 1856 Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 7/9 oak: Uncle Nearest 1856 7 out of 10, Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 9 out of 10
sweetness 7/8 sweetness: Uncle Nearest 1856 7 out of 10, Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 8 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: Uncle Nearest 1856 5 out of 10, Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 4 out of 10
heat 5/4 heat: Uncle Nearest 1856 5 out of 10, Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 4 out of 10
nuttiness 4/5 nuttiness: Uncle Nearest 1856 4 out of 10, Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 5 out of 10
spice 5/5 spice: Uncle Nearest 1856 5 out of 10, Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- Uncle Nearest 1856: Named for Nathan 'Nearest' Green, the enslaved distiller who taught Jack Daniel, and now backed by the brand's own distillery in Shelbyville. Sweet and maple-leaning with the charcoal-mellowed softness of the style.
- 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 Uncle Nearest 1856 if you want a sweet, maple-forward Tennessee whiskey with a story worth knowing behind it at a slightly 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.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Uncle Nearest 1856); neat, rocks (Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel).