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Jefferson’s Very Small Batch vs Buffalo Trace
Jefferson’s Very Small Batch and Buffalo Trace are cut from similar cloth: two takes on traditional bourbons, where the real difference is proof (82.3 vs. 90).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Jefferson’s Very Small Batch | Buffalo Trace |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 82.3 proof (41.1% ABV) | 90 proof (45% ABV) +8 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$28 – $36 | ~$28 – $35 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- Jefferson’s Very Small Batch and Buffalo Trace do not publish an official mash bill.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
Jefferson’s Very Small Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Buffalo Trace
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Jefferson’s Very Small Batch Buffalo Trace
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 4/6 oak: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 4 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 6 out of 10
heat 2/4 heat: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 2 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 4 out of 10
spice 4/5 spice: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 4 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 3 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 4 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 6 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 6 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 5 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- 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.
- Buffalo Trace: The reference-point Kentucky bourbon: balanced brown sugar and vanilla sweetness, a whisper of mint, and just enough oak and spice to keep it interesting. Nothing is loud, which is exactly the point at 90 proof.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Jefferson’s Very Small Batch if you want an especially soft, low-proof pour and gentleness matters more than intensity without hunting for it.
- Go with Buffalo Trace if you want the balanced, everyday Kentucky benchmark that does nothing wrong at a fair price with slightly more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed rocks, cocktails, highball (Jefferson’s Very Small Batch); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Buffalo Trace).