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Jack Daniel’s 12 Year vs Jefferson’s Very Small Batch
Comparing Jack Daniel’s 12 Year and Jefferson’s Very Small Batch reveals a matchup between a traditional, even-keeled Kentucky staple and a sourced, even-keeled blend.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Jack Daniel’s 12 Year | Jefferson’s Very Small Batch |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Tennessee Whiskey | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 80% corn, 8% rye, 12% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | 12 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 107 proof (53.5% ABV) +25 proof | 82.3 proof (41.1% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$80 – $120 | ~$28 – $36 ~$68 less |
| Availability | Limited | Widely available easier to find |
- Jefferson’s Very Small Batch does 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
Jack Daniel’s 12 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Jefferson’s Very Small Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Jack Daniel’s 12 Year Jefferson’s Very Small Batch
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 8/4 oak: Jack Daniel’s 12 Year 8 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 4 out of 10
heat 6/2 heat: Jack Daniel’s 12 Year 6 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 2 out of 10
sweetness 8/6 sweetness: Jack Daniel’s 12 Year 8 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 6 out of 10
spice 5/4 spice: Jack Daniel’s 12 Year 5 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 4 out of 10
fruit 6/5 fruit: Jack Daniel’s 12 Year 6 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 5 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Jack Daniel’s 12 Year 4 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Oak is doing most of the differentiating here.
- Jack Daniel’s 12 Year: Twelve-year Jack Daniel's at 107 proof. Sweet and creamy, with butterscotch, pipe tobacco and seasoned oak.
- 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 Jack Daniel’s 12 Year if you want a sweet, creamy, well-aged Jack Daniel's with pipe tobacco and oak with 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 at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Jack Daniel’s 12 Year); rocks, cocktails, highball (Jefferson’s Very Small Batch).