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Horse Soldier Barrel Strength vs Jefferson's Reserve Very Old
Horse Soldier Barrel Strength and Jefferson's Reserve Very Old sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an uncut, wheat-forward heavyweight versus a blender-built, classically built bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Horse Soldier Barrel Strength | Jefferson's Reserve Very Old |
|---|---|---|
| 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) +21 proof | 90.2 proof (45.1% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$78 – $85 | ~$55 – $65 ~$22 less |
- Horse Soldier Barrel Strength and Jefferson's Reserve Very Old do not publish an official mash bill.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 Reserve Very Old
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Horse Soldier Barrel Strength Jefferson's Reserve Very Old
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 7/4 heat: Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 7 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 4 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 7 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 6 out of 10
oak 6/7 oak: Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 6 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 7 out of 10
fruit 5/6 fruit: Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 5 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 6 out of 10
spice 5/5 spice: Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 5 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 3 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 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 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 Horse Soldier Barrel Strength if you want a big, barrel-strength wheated bourbon with plenty of brown sugar and warmth.
- 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 at a lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Horse Soldier Barrel Strength); neat, rocks (Jefferson's Reserve Very Old).