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Eagle Rare 12 Year vs Jefferson's Reserve Very Old
On paper Eagle Rare 12 Year and Jefferson's Reserve Very Old are near neighbours — both traditional bourbons — so proof (95 vs. 90.2) is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Eagle Rare 12 Year | Jefferson's Reserve Very Old |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | 12 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 95 proof (47.5% ABV) +5 proof | 90.2 proof (45.1% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$50 – $80 | ~$55 – $65 ~$5 less |
| Availability | Allocated | Widely available easier to find |
- Eagle Rare 12 Year and Jefferson's Reserve Very Old do not publish an official mash bill.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
Eagle Rare 12 Year
Top 3, behind George T. Stagg and Jack Daniel's 14.
Jefferson's Reserve Very Old
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Eagle Rare 12 Year Jefferson's Reserve Very Old
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Eagle Rare 12 Year 7 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 6 out of 10
heat 5/4 heat: Eagle Rare 12 Year 5 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 4 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Eagle Rare 12 Year 4 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 3 out of 10
spice 5/5 spice: Eagle Rare 12 Year 5 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 5 out of 10
oak 7/7 oak: Eagle Rare 12 Year 7 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 7 out of 10
fruit 6/6 fruit: Eagle Rare 12 Year 6 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 6 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.
- Eagle Rare 12 Year: Two more years and five more proof points than Eagle Rare 10. Brown sugar and toffee lead, with a drier, more astringent oak finish.
- 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 Eagle Rare 12 Year if you want an older, richer step up from Eagle Rare 10 with more brown sugar and oak.
- 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 slightly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Eagle Rare 12 Year); neat, rocks (Jefferson's Reserve Very Old).