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Barrell Foundation Bourbon vs Jefferson’s Very Small Batch
Put Barrell Foundation Bourbon next to Jefferson’s Very Small Batch and you have a blender-built, high-rye bottling set against a sourced, corn-forward blend.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Barrell Foundation Bourbon | Jefferson’s Very Small Batch |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 73% corn, 23% rye, 4% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | 5 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) +18 proof | 82.3 proof (41.1% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$50 – $60 | ~$28 – $36 ~$23 less |
- Barrell Foundation Bourbon and Jefferson’s Very Small Batch do not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-10; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Barrell Foundation Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Jefferson’s Very Small Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Barrell Foundation Bourbon Jefferson’s Very Small Batch
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 5/2 heat: Barrell Foundation Bourbon 5 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 2 out of 10
spice 6/4 spice: Barrell Foundation Bourbon 6 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 4 out of 10
oak 6/4 oak: Barrell Foundation Bourbon 6 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 4 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Barrell Foundation Bourbon 6 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 6 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Barrell Foundation Bourbon 5 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Barrell Foundation Bourbon 3 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land very differently on the palate for heat.
- Barrell Foundation Bourbon: Barrell's everyday bottle: a multi-state blend proofed down to 100 instead of bottled at cask strength. Creamy cake and vanilla up front, then a dry, rye-driven peppery finish.
- Jefferson’s Very Small Batch: A blend of sourced barrels bottled at a very gentle 82.3 proof. Easy and inoffensive, but thin enough that it is hard to recommend over bonded bottles costing less.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Barrell Foundation Bourbon if you want an approachable, 100-proof Barrell blend that still shows off multi-state blending with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
- Go with Jefferson’s Very Small Batch if you want an especially soft, low-proof pour and gentleness matters more than intensity at a lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Barrell Foundation Bourbon); rocks, cocktails, highball (Jefferson’s Very Small Batch).