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Blanton’s Single Barrel vs Jefferson's Reserve Very Old
Put Blanton’s Single Barrel next to Jefferson's Reserve Very Old and you have a classic, high-rye stalwart set against a blender-built, corn-forward bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Blanton’s Single Barrel | Jefferson's Reserve Very Old |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 15% rye, 10% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 93 proof (46.5% ABV) +3 proof | 90.2 proof (45.1% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$80 – $150 | ~$55 – $65 ~$55 less |
| Availability | Allocated | Widely available easier to find |
- Blanton’s Single Barrel and Jefferson's Reserve Very Old do not publish an official mash bill.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
Blanton’s Single Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Jefferson's Reserve Very Old
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Blanton’s Single Barrel Jefferson's Reserve Very Old
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 6/5 spice: Blanton’s Single Barrel 6 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 5 out of 10
oak 6/7 oak: Blanton’s Single Barrel 6 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 7 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Blanton’s Single Barrel 6 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 6 out of 10
fruit 6/6 fruit: Blanton’s Single Barrel 6 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 6 out of 10
heat 4/4 heat: Blanton’s Single Barrel 4 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Blanton’s Single Barrel 3 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land close together on every flavor axis — the differences are in texture and proof more than character.
- Blanton’s Single Barrel: The bottle that invented the single-barrel category and still trades largely on its horse-stopper cork and its scarcity. The whiskey itself is genuinely good — honeyed and citrus-led with nutmeg spice — but at secondary prices you are paying for the bottle as much as the pour.
- 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 Blanton’s Single Barrel if you want the original single-barrel presentation and a honeyed, citrus-led profile, and the hunt is part of the appeal.
- 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 at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Blanton’s Single Barrel); neat, rocks (Jefferson's Reserve Very Old).