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Jefferson’s Very Small Batch vs Bulleit Bourbon
Jefferson’s Very Small Batch and Bulleit Bourbon sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: a sourced, classically built blend versus a blender-built, rye-forward bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Jefferson’s Very Small Batch | Bulleit Bourbon |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 68% corn, 28% rye, 4% 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 | ~$25 – $32 |
- Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 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
Jefferson’s Very Small Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Bulleit Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Jefferson’s Very Small Batch Bulleit Bourbon
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 4/7 spice: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 4 out of 10, Bulleit Bourbon 7 out of 10
heat 2/4 heat: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 2 out of 10, Bulleit Bourbon 4 out of 10
sweetness 6/5 sweetness: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 6 out of 10, Bulleit Bourbon 5 out of 10
oak 4/5 oak: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 4 out of 10, Bulleit Bourbon 5 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 5 out of 10, Bulleit Bourbon 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 3 out of 10, Bulleit Bourbon 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The gap between these two is mostly about spice.
- 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.
- Bulleit Bourbon: The bottle that put high-rye bourbon in every cocktail bar in the country. Peppery and dry with the familiar MGP dill note, and it earns its place behind the bar more than in a glass on its own.
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.
- Go with Bulleit Bourbon if you want a dry, peppery, high-rye bourbon built for cocktails and available absolutely everywhere with slightly more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed rocks, cocktails, highball (Jefferson’s Very Small Batch); old-fashioned, cocktails, highball (Bulleit Bourbon).