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Four Roses Small Batch vs Jefferson’s Very Small Batch
Comparing Four Roses Small Batch and Jefferson’s Very Small Batch reveals a matchup between a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple and a sourced, even-keeled blend.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Four Roses Small Batch | Jefferson’s Very Small Batch |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 20% rye, 5% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) +8 proof | 82.3 proof (41.1% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$32 – $38 | ~$28 – $36 |
- 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
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Jefferson’s Very Small Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Four Roses Small Batch Jefferson’s Very Small Batch
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 6/4 spice: Four Roses Small Batch 6 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 4 out of 10
fruit 7/5 fruit: Four Roses Small Batch 7 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 5 out of 10
heat 4/2 heat: Four Roses Small Batch 4 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 2 out of 10
oak 5/4 oak: Four Roses Small Batch 5 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 4 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Four Roses Small Batch 6 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Four Roses Small Batch 3 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Rye spice is the dividing line here.
- Four Roses Small Batch: Four Roses' yeast strains push this toward fruit and florals rather than wood. Red berry and cinnamon over a light body, with the rye showing up as brightness instead of bite.
- 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 if you want a fruit-and-floral profile that stands apart from the usual caramel-and-oak template with slightly 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.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, cocktails (Four Roses Small Batch); rocks, cocktails, highball (Jefferson’s Very Small Batch).