Compare
Four Roses Small Batch Select vs Jefferson's Reserve Very Old
Put Four Roses Small Batch Select next to Jefferson's Reserve Very Old and you have a classic, high-rye stalwart set against a blender-built, corn-forward bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Four Roses Small Batch Select | 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 | 6 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 104 proof (52% ABV) +14 proof | 90.2 proof (45.1% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$55 – $65 | ~$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 Small Batch Select
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Jefferson's Reserve Very Old
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Four Roses Small Batch Select Jefferson's Reserve Very Old
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 7/5 spice: Four Roses Small Batch Select 7 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 5 out of 10
fruit 8/6 fruit: Four Roses Small Batch Select 8 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 6 out of 10
heat 6/4 heat: Four Roses Small Batch Select 6 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 4 out of 10
oak 6/7 oak: Four Roses Small Batch Select 6 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 7 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Four Roses Small Batch Select 6 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Four Roses Small Batch Select 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 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 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 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 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 (Four Roses Small Batch Select); neat, rocks (Jefferson's Reserve Very Old).