Best Elijah Craig Bourbon

Last Updated on: 15th April 2024, 03:23 pm

Elijah Craig’s Best Bourbon Selections Revealed

Written by: J Highland

With the assistance of whiskey expert Neil Coleman and valuable customer insights, I have reviewed and rated every Elijah Craig Bourbon and determined which is best.

Best Elijah Craig Bourbon for Each Purpose and Taste

• Elijah Craig Rye Whiskey: Best for those who prefer a gentler rye with a “barely legal” rye content. Ideal for sipping neat or on the rocks, this whiskey combines subtle spicy notes with a sweet and refreshing finish, making it less suitable for those seeking a spicier cocktail base.
• Elijah Craig Small Batch: This variant is a bit rough around the edges with a bold, spicy finish that might be overwhelming for some. It’s not the top choice for sipping due to its intense oak and spice, but adding water can help mellow the flavors, making it more suitable for those who enjoy a strong bourbon character in their drinks.
• Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel: A step up from the Small Batch, this bourbon benefits from an additional aging step in toasted barrels, which enhances its flavors of vanilla, caramel, and charred oak. This process makes it more enjoyable and an improvement over the Small Batch, suitable for those who appreciate a balanced and moderately complex bourbon.
• Elijah Craig Barrel Proof: The best release for those who appreciate robust and full-bodied bourbons. It offers a complex blend of oak, spice, and sweet notes, best enjoyed neat to fully savor its depth and intricacies. This uncut and unfiltered bourbon is potent yet balanced, providing a bold experience without the need for dilution.
• Elijah Craig Single Barrel 18 Year: Although rich in oak due to its long aging process, this bourbon remains elegant and sophisticated. It’s ideal for those who prefer a bourbon with a pronounced oak presence but still maintains a balance with vanilla and caramel sweetness. While not overly complex, it’s a satisfying choice for those who appreciate a mature bourbon, although some might find it too oak-forward.
• 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.

Quick Look at Elijah Craig’s Range of Whiskeys

Prices are approximate and stated in USD:

Whiskey	Price	Rating
Elijah Craig Rye	$35	72
Small Batch	$34	74
Toasted Barrel	$95	78
Barrel Proof	$86	86
Single Barrel 18 Year	$290	85

Elijah Craig Rye: A Mild Introduction to Rye Whiskey

• Nose: Vanilla, sweet grain, baking spice
• Palate: Oak char, spice, sweet cereal
• Finish: Long, rye spice, mint
• Alcohol content: 94 proof (47% ABV)
• How to drink: Rocks, Cocktails

Elijah Craig Rye offers a gentle rye whiskey experience with a low rye mashbill. The aroma entices with vanilla, sweet grain, and baking spices. The taste features oak char, subtle rye spice with hints of grass, and a touch of sweet cereal. This medium-bodied whiskey offers a refreshing finish with lingering spice, mint, and a light rye tingle.

Best enjoyed neat or on the rocks to tame the spice, Elijah Craig Rye is a pleasant and easy-to-drink choice, states whiskey expert Neil Coleman.

Elijah Craig Small Batch: A Bold Sipping Experience

• 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

Elijah Craig Small Batch offers a bourbon experience dominated by oak spice. The aroma is oak-forward with hints of cinnamon, clove, and chocolate. The taste follows suit, with oak spice taking center stage alongside bitter chocolate, vanilla, and butterscotch, brightened by a touch of citrus. The finish is warm and spicy, lingering with oak, cinnamon, black pepper, clove, and a hint of butterscotch.

While a splash of water can tame the spice and bring out sweetness, the overall intensity, particularly in the finish, might be overwhelming for some. This makes Elijah Craig Small Batch a good choice for those who enjoy a bold oaky bourbon, but for a more balanced sipping experience in this price range, other options might be worth exploring.

Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel: Sweeter, Smoother Small Batch Sibling

• Nose: Vanilla, oak, cherry, green apple
• Palate: Caramel, vanilla, rye spice, charred oak
• Finish: Medium-length, warming, caramel, oak spice
• Alcohol content: 94 proof (47% ABV)
• How to drink: Add water

Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel takes their Small Batch bourbon and elevates it with a unique finishing step in toasted barrels. This results in a distinct aroma profile – strong vanilla with hints of oak and cherry.

The Toasted Barrel offers a smoother, more balanced experience compared to the Small Batch. Its medium body carries flavors of sweet vanilla and caramel, complemented by rye spice and noticeable charred oak. The finish is moderately long, lingering with caramel and charred oak notes.

Overall, the Toasted Barrel is an improvement over the Small Batch. The additional aging tames some of the harshness, making it a more enjoyable sip. While not top-shelf, the Toasted Barrel represents a step up in quality for the Elijah Craig brand.

Elijah Craig Barrel Proof: A Bold and Balanced Bourbon

• Nose: Oak, vanilla, caramel
• Palate: Spice, coconut, vanilla
• Finish: Spice, oak, caramel
• Alcohol content: 120 proof (60% ABV)
• How to drink: Add water

Elijah Craig Barrel Proof showcases uncut, unfiltered bourbon for a full-flavored experience. The aroma is oak-dominant with hints of vanilla, caramel, and a touch of alcohol. The full-bodied taste is surprisingly warm yet smooth, offering a rich blend of spice, coconut, vanilla, and brown sugar. The long finish continues the warmth with a sweetness accented by floral and oaky notes.

This bourbon excels in its balance. It delivers bold, well-rounded flavors that manage to be both powerful and nuanced. Enjoy it neat to appreciate its full complexity. While water isn’t necessary, a large ice cube can temper the heat for those who prefer a slightly cooler dram.

Elijah Craig Single Barrel: A Classic Bourbon with Aged Elegance

• Nose: Vanilla, caramel, brown sugar, oak, tobacco
• Palate: Vanilla, caramel, charred oak
• Finish: Long, cherry, caramel, oak
• Alcohol content: 90 proof (45% ABV)
• How to drink: Add water

Elijah Craig Single Barrel boasts a mature profile thanks to its 18 years of aging. The aroma is rich with vanilla and caramel, accented by oak, tobacco, and a hint of leather. The taste is buttery smooth with subtle warmth, featuring familiar notes of vanilla, caramel, and charred oak, balanced by a touch of spice. The long finish delivers a classic “Kentucky Hug” with moderate warmth and lingering cherry, caramel, and oak flavors.

While not overly complex, this single barrel bourbon offers a satisfying and elegant sipping experience. The inclusion of aged leather notes adds depth, and the oak influence is pronounced but well-integrated. A slightly higher proof could elevate it further, but overall, Elijah Craig Single Barrel is a classic bourbon that lives up to its 18-year age statement.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Does Elijah Craig Compare to Other Bourbons?

• Elijah Craig offers a balanced and rich flavor profile, making it a preferred option among mid-shelf bourbons.
• Its reputation for quality and value places it above many other mid-range offerings.

What Criteria Are Used to Select the Best Elijah Craig Bourbons?

• Flavor Profile: Prioritizing a rich, well-balanced bourbon flavor.
• Reputation: High regard within the bourbon enthusiast community and positive reviews.
• Value: A good balance between quality and price.

What is the Historical Significance of Elijah Craig?

• Elijah Craig, a Baptist minister, established a distillery in Fayette County (now Kentucky) in 1789.
• He is credited with pioneering the aging of bourbon in charred oak casks, earning him the title “Father of Bourbon Whiskey.”