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Bulleit Bourbon vs Jefferson's Reserve Very Old
Put Bulleit Bourbon next to Jefferson's Reserve Very Old and you have a sourced, high-rye blend set against a blender-built, corn-forward bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Bulleit Bourbon | Jefferson's Reserve Very Old |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 68% corn, 28% rye, 4% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) | 90.2 proof (45.1% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$25 – $32 ~$32 less | ~$55 – $65 |
- Jefferson's Reserve Very Old does 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
Bulleit Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Jefferson's Reserve Very Old
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Bulleit Bourbon Jefferson's Reserve Very Old
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 7/5 spice: Bulleit Bourbon 7 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 5 out of 10
oak 5/7 oak: Bulleit Bourbon 5 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 7 out of 10
sweetness 5/6 sweetness: Bulleit Bourbon 5 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 6 out of 10
fruit 5/6 fruit: Bulleit Bourbon 5 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 6 out of 10
heat 4/4 heat: Bulleit Bourbon 4 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Bulleit Bourbon 3 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The gap between these two is mostly about spice.
- Bulleit Bourbon: The bottle that put high-rye bourbon in every cocktail bar in the country. Peppery and dry with the familiar MGP dill note, and it earns its place behind the bar more than in a glass on its own.
- 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 Bulleit Bourbon if you want a dry, peppery, high-rye bourbon built for cocktails and available absolutely everywhere at a significantly 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 old-fashioned, cocktails, highball (Bulleit Bourbon); neat, rocks (Jefferson's Reserve Very Old).