JW Dant Bottled-in-Bond Vs. Elijah Craig Small Batch

These are both Heaven Hill products from what I understand is the same mashbill, both good value bourbons, with the only real difference being age. Dant is a 4yr product, and EC is a blend of 8-12yr. Dant is priced at around $10-12, and EC at $25-30.

EC) This has always been one of my favorite reasonably priced bourbons. A classic bourbon nose of oak, caramel, vanilla, tobacco, and leather moves into a fairly complex palate that starts with notes of allspice, cinnamon, and oak. The taste then moves to some apple fruitiness, vanilla, and sweetness. The finish has more spice and heat along with a lingering honey sweetness.

JW Dant) The nose is less oak and more sweet-corn with barrel char. Maybe some banana on the nose as well. The palate has a little of that musty sweet-corn up front that I always associate with a younger bourbon. But it also has good complex flavors of vanilla, oak, rye spice, subtle orange citrus, and salted butter. The finish is surprisingly long with more spice, leather, and that sweet-corn.

Verdict) it’s always crazy to me how much more-time, and different-location, can change a bourbon. You really are mostly paying for barrel-age in the EC. They are both very enjoyable, and I know some people enjoy that sweet-corn flavor on the JW Dant. The price on the Dant is hard to beat! But I think I am willing to pay the extra money for the more refined Elijah Craig if I’m drinking neat.