Elijah Craig vs 1792 Small Batch: Bourbon Comparison

Last Updated on: 8th April 2024, 02:47 pm

J Highland

J Highland is a certified sommelier with 30 years in the liquor industry, owning a pub, a liquor store, and moonlighting as a spirits distiller.

Explore distinctions between the 1792 Small Batch and Elijah Craig Small Batch in this detailed comparison, and choose your next Bourbon!

Quick Note: Running a pub and liquor store provides me ample access to various spirits, in addition, I moonlight as a spirits distiller. I assess them using customer feedback, expert opinions and online research.

Written by: J Highland

1792 vs Elijah Craig: Comparison

1792 Small Batch: Known for its charred oak and rye spice aroma, with flavors of cinnamon, oak, and ripe fruit on the palate, finishing with cinnamon and pepper. It’s an easy-to-drink bourbon, suitable for both rocks and cocktails, celebrated for its high rye content and spicy profile.

Elijah Craig Small Batch: Features a nose of wood, chocolate, and spices, leading to a palate rich in chocolate, wood, and butterscotch, with a spicy finish of oak, cinnamon, and vanilla. It offers a bold oak character with a complex flavor profile, best enjoyed with a drop of water to soften the intensity.

Verdict: Both 1792 Small Batch and Elijah Craig Small Batch provide unique bourbon experiences; 1792 Small Batch is appreciated for its easy sipping and spicy kick, while Elijah Craig Small Batch offers a more intense and oaky profile with a complex flavor that might appeal to those seeking depth in their bourbon, states whiskey expert Neil Coleman.

Related: Best-Rated Bourbons under $30

1792 Small Batch Bourbon: Easy to Drink Bourbon

Nose: Charred oak, banana, rye spice
Palate: Cinnamon, oak, banana, ripe fruit
Finish: Medium-length, cinnamon, pepper, oak
Alcohol content: 94 proof (47% ABV)
How to drink: Rocks, cocktails
Similar to: Buffalo Trace

Origins: Don’t be fooled by the name – 1792 Bourbon isn’t from 1792, but rather celebrates the year Kentucky became a state. Made by Buffalo Trace at the Barton Distillery, it boasts a high rye content for a spicy kick.

Aroma: Earthy and creamy, with strong burnt oak and a hint of green apple. Letting it breathe reveals some rye spice.

Taste: Starts smooth with cinnamon that builds, but dry oak notes overpower the subtle banana and ripe fruit flavors. It can feel one-dimensional and unbalanced.

Finish: Medium-length with lingering cinnamon spice and dry oak, leaving a warm but not unpleasant sensation.

Overall: Easy to drink delivering an easy sipping experience.

1792 Small Batch Facts:

Previously had an 8-year age statement (removed in 2013).
High rye mash bill contributes to the spicy notes.
Celebrates Kentucky’s statehood year (1792).

Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon: A Breakdown

Nose: Wood, chocolate, cinnamon, clove
Palate: Chocolate, wood, butterscotch, citrus
Finish: Oak spice, cinnamon, clove, black pepper, vanilla
Alcohol content: 94 proof (47% ABV)
How to drink: Add water
Similar to: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof

Aroma: Warm oak takes center stage, with hints of cinnamon, clove, and chocolate peeking through.

Taste: Oak leads the flavor profile, followed by subtle notes of dark chocolate, vanilla, and butterscotch. A citrusy touch adds complexity.

Finish: The finish brings a warming wave of oak spice, cinnamon, black pepper, and clove, with a touch of butterscotch sweetness lingering. It can be a bit intense for some palates.

Taming the Heat: Adding a drop of water can soften the intensity, bringing out the sweetness and mellowing the peppery notes.

Overall: Elijah Craig is a decent bourbon with a bold oaky character. While the taste profile is interesting, the intense finish might not be ideal for those who prefer an easy sip.

Elijah Craig Facts:

Credited as the first: Elijah Craig is known for supposedly using heavily charred casks for aging bourbon, adding a signature flavor.
The recipe: Made with 78% corn, 10% rye, and 12% malted barley.
Blending for consistency: Elijah Craig is blended from 200 barrels aged at least eight years in Kentucky rickhouses.
A change in 2016: Previously boasting a 12-year age statement, Elijah Craig transitioned to a non-age-stated bottling in 2016 to increase availability. The number of barrels used per batch also doubled from 100 to 200.