Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon Price Guide & Review (2023)

Last Updated on December 29, 2022 by Lydia Martin

Elijah Craig has established a great reputation in the whiskey world and is credited for being the Father of Bourbon.

Today, we will take a glimpse of the legacy behind Elijah Craig Small Batch bourbon – price, history, and production process. Read on. 

All About Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon 

Grain. Water. Fire. Time. Elijah Craig’s expressions are made from these four essentials, but it takes ingenuity and expertise to transform each expression into unique and award-winning whiskeys. 

Elijah Craig Small Batch bourbon has an interesting history and unique production and aging process.

Using the locally grown mash bill and excellent maturation, the distillery creates remarkable tasting notes making you crave a second glass. 

Key Facts

History & Origin

First to Char. Elijah Craig is the Father of Bourbon for being the first distiller to age whiskey in new charred oak barrels. 

The first Elijah Craig Small Batch was released in 1986, and it has the label 1789 on the bottle because it was an important year for the brand. It was 1789 when Elijah crafted the bourbon using charred oak barrels. But where did bourbon originate?

Production & Aging Process

Elijah Craig Small Batch bourbon is carefully crafted using premium mash bill and Kentucky limestone water.

After fermentation and distillation, it is aged in level three char oak barrels for 8 to 12 years to develop a deep and rich flavor. 

It is crafted with care from hand-selected barrels, and until today, Elijah Craig Small Batch is made according to the tradition of Elijah Craig. 

Mash Bill

Elijah Craig Small Batch contains 75% corn, 12% rye, and 13% malted barley. The percentage of corn is higher than the bourbon requirement [1], so it is slightly sweet with a kick, thanks to its rye content. 

Age Statement

Elijah Craig Small Batch bourbon does not carry an age statement (NAS). It was originally released in 1986 with an age statement.

However, Heaven Hill dropped it and switched to a composite of 8 to 12 years to extend the stocks.  

Read: How Long Does Bourbon Need To Be Aged?

Ownership & Distillery

Elijah Craig Small Batch bourbon is distilled and produced by Heaven Hill Distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky. 

Until today, Heaven Hill Distillery preserves the bourbon-making tradition of Elijah Craig. It is owned by the Shapira family, one of the largest family-operated and owned distilleries in America. 

But does bourbon really have to be made in Kentucky?

Tasting Notes 

• Palate – Warm, smooth, caramel, tobacco, a nice hit of charred oak with accents of nutmeg, spice, smoke 
• Nose – Caramel, charred oak, black pepper, creme brulee, vanilla bean, and fresh mint
• Color/Hue – Burnished copper
• Finish – Sweet, long, slightly toasted tobacco, peppery rye

Common Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon Price

Type	Size	Alcohol By Volume	Average Price
Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon	750 ml	47%	$33.99
	1.75 ml		$61.59

*Average prices are based on Drizly. Prices may vary in local liquor shops.

Compared to Other Bourbons 

Larceny Small Batch Bourbon

If you want a cheaper alternative for Elijah Craig Small Batch bourbon, you can try Larceny Small Batch bourbon. 

You can score a bottle of Larceny for around $28.99 on Drizly online, which is cheaper by $5 compared to Elijah Craig. 

Evan Williams 1783 Small Batch

Another budget-friendly is Evan Williams 1783 Small Batch bourbon because a 750 ml bottle is roughly $19.99 only on Drizly online.

It is bottled at 90 proof and uses the same traditional recipe and sour mash by Evan Williams. It is sweet, smooth, yet bold like Elijah Craig Small Batch bourbon. 

Michter’s Small Batch Kentucky Bourbon

If you want a more expensive Small Batch bourbon, you can try Mitcher’s Small Batch Kentucky bourbon.

It only costs around $54.99 on Drizly, more expensive than Elijah Craig, Larceny, and Evan Williams.

After your first sip, you can expect the bourbon’s mellow and earthy flavor profile. 

Read: Elijah Craig vs Buffalo Trace Bourbon

Popular Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon Cocktail Recipes

 

Old Fashioned

Prep Time: 5 mins 

Total Time: 5 mins

Ingredients: 

• 2 oz Elijah Craig Small Batch bourbon
• 3 Dashes of bitters
• 0.25 oz Simple syrup
• Orange swath
• Brandied cherry

Instructions: Add simple syrup, bitters, and Elijah Craig Small Batch in a mixing glass with ice. Stir until chilled, then strain in double Old-Fashioned glass. Lastly, top it off with brandied cherries and swaths of orange. 

Serving: 1

Gold Rush

Prep Time: 5 mins

Total Time: 5 mins

Ingredients: 

• 2 oz Elijah Craig Small Batch
• 0.75 oz Domaine de Canton
• 0.50 oz fresh lemon juice
• Brandied cherry (garnish)

Instructions: Combine all the ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice and shake until well chilled. Strain in a cocktail glass and top it off with brandied cherry before serving. 

Serving: 1

FAQs 

Is Elijah Craig Small Batch bourbon hard to find?

Yes, Elijah Craig Small Batch bourbon can be hard to find. However, you can check online stores like Drizly, ReserveBar, and Instacart for availability. You can also check Elijah Craig’s official website to help you locate a bar or retailer near you. 

Is Elijah Craig Small Batch bourbon top-shelf?

No, Elijah Craig Small Batch bourbon is not a top-shelf whiskey. It is a mid-shelf whiskey, and while it’s not that premium, it is very drinkable and complex enough to enjoy. 

Final Thoughts

Elijah Craig Small Batch is a pretty good bourbon. For its price, it has a pretty balanced mix of herbal, fruit, caramel, vanilla, and oak notes.

You can savor the rich history and craftsmanship of Elijah Craig in every sip. 

You can never go wrong with Elijah Craig Small Batch bourbon. It is an excellent mix of texture, flavor, and price point. 

Reference:

1. https://www.cnbc.com/2015/06/04/5-rules-that-make-it-bourbon.html