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Angel’s Envy vs Jefferson's Reserve Very Old
Angel’s Envy and Jefferson's Reserve Very Old are cut from similar cloth: two takes on traditional bourbons, where the real difference is price (~$45 – $55 vs. ~$55 – $65).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Angel’s Envy | Jefferson's Reserve Very Old |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 86.6 proof (43.3% ABV) | 90.2 proof (45.1% ABV) +4 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$45 – $55 ~$10 less | ~$55 – $65 |
- Angel’s Envy and Jefferson's Reserve Very Old do not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Angel’s Envy
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Jefferson's Reserve Very Old
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Angel’s Envy Jefferson's Reserve Very Old
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 8/6 sweetness: Angel’s Envy 8 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 6 out of 10
oak 5/7 oak: Angel’s Envy 5 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 7 out of 10
spice 4/5 spice: Angel’s Envy 4 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 5 out of 10
fruit 7/6 fruit: Angel’s Envy 7 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 6 out of 10
heat 3/4 heat: Angel’s Envy 3 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Angel’s Envy 3 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Sweetness is where these two part ways.
- Angel’s Envy: Finished in port barrels, which pushes it well away from the traditional bourbon template toward berry and raisin sweetness. Divisive among purists and extremely popular with everyone else.
- Jefferson's Reserve Very Old: The older, drier sibling of Jefferson's Very Small Batch. Buttery toffee and dried fruit sit on a firm, slightly smoky oak backbone, and the finish turns peppery and long.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Angel’s Envy if you want an overtly fruity, port-finished bourbon that breaks from the traditional profile on purpose at a slightly lower price point.
- Go with Jefferson's Reserve Very Old if you want a mature, oak-driven blend with dried fruit and a dry, peppery finish at an easy proof.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Angel’s Envy); neat, rocks (Jefferson's Reserve Very Old).