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Woodford Reserve Double Oaked vs Elijah Craig Small Batch
Comparing Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 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 | Woodford Reserve Double Oaked | 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 | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) | 94 proof (47% ABV) +4 proof |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$50 – $62 | ~$28 – $35 ~$25 less |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Woodford Reserve Double Oaked
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Elijah Craig Small Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Woodford Reserve Double Oaked Elijah Craig Small Batch
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 8/6 sweetness: Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 8 out of 10, Elijah Craig Small Batch 6 out of 10
oak 9/7 oak: Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 9 out of 10, Elijah Craig Small Batch 7 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 5 out of 10, Elijah Craig Small Batch 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 3 out of 10, Elijah Craig Small Batch 4 out of 10
spice 5/5 spice: Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 5 out of 10, Elijah Craig Small Batch 5 out of 10
heat 4/4 heat: Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 4 out of 10, Elijah Craig Small Batch 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Sweetness is where these two part ways.
- Woodford Reserve Double Oaked: A second barrel, deeply toasted, and the result is unashamedly dessert-like. Maple and caramelised sugar with heavy wood — polarising if you want restraint, excellent if you want sweetness.
- 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 Woodford Reserve Double Oaked if you want an overtly sweet, heavily oaked, dessert-leaning bourbon.
- 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 (Woodford Reserve Double Oaked); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Elijah Craig Small Batch).