After tasting the Elijah Craig 12 yr Small Batch and the Elijah Craig Barrel Proof, I much prefer the Barrel Proof, as even that has a relatively mild taste for my preference, and the Barrel Proof avoids the sweet cinnamon cherry coke finish I dislike in the Elijah Craig 12yr Small Batch. When I want something more fruity, berry, I prefer Willett (Willett Rye 3yr, Johnny Drum Private Stock, or even Noah's Mill). I also prefer Heaven Hill's McKenna 10yr Single Barrel as it has a much stronger, brighter taste, more similar to Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond, which I may also prefer to this. That likely goes even more so when compared to the new Elijah Craig (~8yr) NAS.