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Four Roses Single Barrel vs Jefferson's Reserve Very Old
Four Roses Single Barrel and Jefferson's Reserve Very Old sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an old-guard, rye-forward classic versus a blender-built, classically built bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Four Roses Single Barrel | Jefferson's Reserve Very Old |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 60% corn, 35% rye, 5% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) +10 proof | 90.2 proof (45.1% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$45 – $55 ~$10 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
Four Roses Single Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Jefferson's Reserve Very Old
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Four Roses Single Barrel Jefferson's Reserve Very Old
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 8/5 spice: Four Roses Single Barrel 8 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 5 out of 10
heat 6/4 heat: Four Roses Single Barrel 6 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 4 out of 10
oak 6/7 oak: Four Roses Single Barrel 6 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 7 out of 10
fruit 7/6 fruit: Four Roses Single Barrel 7 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 6 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Four Roses Single Barrel 6 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Four Roses Single Barrel 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.
- Four Roses Single Barrel: The OBSV recipe on its own at 100 proof — the highest-rye mash Four Roses uses, paired with their most floral yeast. Cherry and clove in equal measure, and a genuinely distinctive glass.
- 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 Four Roses Single Barrel if you want the most expressive, spice-and-fruit-forward single recipe in the Four Roses range at a slightly 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 neat, old-fashioned (Four Roses Single Barrel); neat, rocks (Jefferson's Reserve Very Old).