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Horse Soldier Barrel Strength vs Jefferson’s Very Small Batch
Comparing Horse Soldier Barrel Strength and Jefferson’s Very Small Batch reveals a matchup between an uncut, wheated heavyweight and a blender-built, even-keeled bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Horse Soldier Barrel Strength | Jefferson’s Very Small Batch |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon, Barrel Proof | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 70% corn, 20% wheat, 10% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 111 proof (55.5% ABV) +29 proof | 82.3 proof (41.1% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$78 – $85 | ~$28 – $36 ~$50 less |
- Horse Soldier Barrel Strength and Jefferson’s Very Small Batch do not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-10; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Horse Soldier Barrel Strength
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Jefferson’s Very Small Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Horse Soldier Barrel Strength Jefferson’s Very Small Batch
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 7/2 heat: Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 7 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 2 out of 10
oak 6/4 oak: Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 6 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 4 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 7 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 6 out of 10
spice 5/4 spice: Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 5 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 4 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 5 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 3 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Proof and heat dominate the difference.
- Horse Soldier Barrel Strength: A barrel-strength wheater from the veteran-founded Horse Soldier brand. Brown sugar and toasted oak lead, baking spice and heat follow, and a splash of water pulls out darker fruit.
- 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 Horse Soldier Barrel Strength if you want a big, barrel-strength wheated bourbon with plenty of brown sugar and warmth with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
- Go with Jefferson’s Very Small Batch if you want an especially soft, low-proof pour and gentleness matters more than intensity at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Horse Soldier Barrel Strength); rocks, cocktails, highball (Jefferson’s Very Small Batch).