Elijah Craig Straight Rye vs Jack Ryan Beggars Bush 12 Year Old

Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.

Elijah Craig Straight RyeJack Ryan Beggars Bush 12 Year Old
DistilleryElijah CraigJack Ryan
Region
CountryAmericaIreland
TypeRyeSingle Malt
ABV47%46%
AgeNAS12 yr
Price£46.75£51.95
Rating5.00/54.50/5

Elijah Craig Straight Rye

Smoke0/100
Sweetness59/100
Beginner60/100
Value100/100

Jack Ryan Beggars Bush 12 Year Old

Smoke0/100
Sweetness66/100
Beginner80/100
Value87/100

Elijah Craig Straight Rye

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Jack Ryan Beggars Bush 12 Year Old

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Elijah Craig Straight Rye is rated higher (5.00 vs 4.50).

Elijah Craig Straight Rye is better value at £47 vs £52.

For beginners: Jack Ryan Beggars Bush 12 Year Old is more approachable (80/100 beginner score).

Elijah Craig Straight Rye

Pros

  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +More affordable (£46.75 vs £51.95)

Cons

  • Niche style — may not suit all palates

Jack Ryan Beggars Bush 12 Year Old

Pros

  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +More widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • More expensive (£51.95 vs £46.75)
  • Lower community rating (4.5 vs 5.0)

Who should buy Elijah?

Elijah Craig Straight Rye suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Rye character.

Who should buy Jack?

Jack Ryan Beggars Bush 12 Year Old is an ideal first whisky — sweet, approachable, and widely available. It's a great gift and a safe choice for anyone new to whisky or who prefers lighter, friendlier drams.

Tasting notes

Both taste of

VanillaHoney

Only Elijah Craig Straight Rye

ToastedNutty

Only Jack Ryan Beggars Bush 12 Year Old

Malt ExtractFresh Fruit

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