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Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond 7 Year vs Jefferson's Reserve Very Old
On paper Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond 7 Year and Jefferson's Reserve Very Old are near neighbours — both traditional bourbons — so price (~$35 – $45 vs. ~$55 – $65) is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond 7 Year | Jefferson's Reserve Very Old |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | 7 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) +10 proof | 90.2 proof (45.1% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$35 – $45 ~$20 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
Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond 7 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Jefferson's Reserve Very Old
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond 7 Year Jefferson's Reserve Very Old
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 4/6 fruit: Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond 7 Year 4 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 6 out of 10
nuttiness 5/3 nuttiness: Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond 7 Year 5 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 3 out of 10
heat 5/4 heat: Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond 7 Year 5 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 4 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond 7 Year 6 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 6 out of 10
spice 5/5 spice: Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond 7 Year 5 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 5 out of 10
oak 7/7 oak: Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond 7 Year 7 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 7 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The fruit-versus-grain contrast drives this one.
- Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond 7 Year: Seven years, bonded, and priced sensibly — the specification sheet reads like something from twenty years ago. Balanced and oak-leaning without ever getting heavy.
- 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 Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond 7 Year if you want a bonded, age-stated Kentucky bourbon that gets the fundamentals right for under forty dollars with slightly 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, old-fashioned (Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond 7 Year); neat, rocks (Jefferson's Reserve Very Old).