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Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond vs Jefferson's Reserve Very Old
Comparing Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond and Jefferson's Reserve Very Old is a closer contest than it looks — both are traditional bourbons, separated mainly by price (~$16 – $22 vs. ~$55 – $65).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond | Jefferson's Reserve Very Old |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | 4 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) +10 proof | 90.2 proof (45.1% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$16 – $22 ~$41 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
Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Jefferson's Reserve Very Old
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond Jefferson's Reserve Very Old
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 4/6 fruit: Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 6 out of 10
oak 6/7 oak: Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 7 out of 10
heat 5/4 heat: Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 4 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 3 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 6 out of 10
spice 5/5 spice: Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The fruit-versus-grain contrast drives this one.
- Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond: Arguably the best value in all of bourbon: a bonded 100-proof Kentucky whiskey for under twenty dollars. Straightforward vanilla and caramel with just enough oak, and nothing at all to apologise for.
- 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 Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond if you want a bonded, honest, full-proof Kentucky bourbon for the price of a cocktail.
- 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, old-fashioned, cocktails (Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond); neat, rocks (Jefferson's Reserve Very Old).