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Four Roses Small Batch Select vs Jefferson’s Very Small Batch
Comparing Four Roses Small Batch Select and Jefferson’s Very Small Batch reveals a matchup between a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple and a blender-built, even-keeled bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Four Roses Small Batch Select | Jefferson’s Very Small Batch |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 60% corn, 35% rye, 5% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | 6 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 104 proof (52% ABV) +22 proof | 82.3 proof (41.1% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$55 – $65 | ~$28 – $36 ~$28 less |
- Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 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 Small Batch Select
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Jefferson’s Very Small Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Four Roses Small Batch Select Jefferson’s Very Small Batch
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 6/2 heat: Four Roses Small Batch Select 6 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 2 out of 10
spice 7/4 spice: Four Roses Small Batch Select 7 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 4 out of 10
fruit 8/5 fruit: Four Roses Small Batch Select 8 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 5 out of 10
oak 6/4 oak: Four Roses Small Batch Select 6 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 4 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Four Roses Small Batch Select 6 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Four Roses Small Batch Select 3 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Proof and heat dominate the difference.
- Four Roses Small Batch Select: Six recipes, non-chill-filtered, at 104 proof, and the most complete thing Four Roses makes at a normal price. The house fruit character with enough proof and texture to carry it.
- Jefferson’s Very Small Batch: A blend of sourced barrels bottled at a very gentle 82.3 proof. Easy and inoffensive, but thin enough that it is hard to recommend over bonded bottles costing less.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Four Roses Small Batch Select if you want the fullest expression of the Four Roses fruit-forward style without chasing an allocated bottle with more proof behind it.
- Go with Jefferson’s Very Small Batch if you want an especially soft, low-proof pour and gentleness matters more than intensity at a lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Four Roses Small Batch Select); rocks, cocktails, highball (Jefferson’s Very Small Batch).