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Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select vs Jefferson's Reserve Very Old
Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select and Jefferson's Reserve Very Old are cut from similar cloth: two takes on traditional Tennessee whiskeys, where the real difference is price (~$45 – $55 vs. ~$55 – $65).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select | Jefferson's Reserve Very Old |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Tennessee Whiskey | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 80% corn, 8% rye, 12% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 94 proof (47% ABV) +4 proof | 90.2 proof (45.1% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$45 – $55 ~$10 less | ~$55 – $65 |
| Availability | Limited | Widely available easier to find |
- 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
Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Jefferson's Reserve Very Old
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select Jefferson's Reserve Very Old
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 4/6 fruit: Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select 4 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 6 out of 10
heat 5/4 heat: Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select 5 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 4 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select 4 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 3 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select 6 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 6 out of 10
spice 5/5 spice: Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select 5 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 5 out of 10
oak 7/7 oak: Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select 7 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 7 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Fruit character is what sets these apart.
- Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select: Barrels pulled from the top of the rickhouse, where the temperature swings are hardest, and it shows as considerably more oak than any standard Jack. A genuinely different proposition from the black label.
- 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 Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select if you want a distinctly oakier, more concentrated Tennessee whiskey with barrel-to-barrel character at a slightly lower price point.
- 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 without hunting for it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select); neat, rocks (Jefferson's Reserve Very Old).