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Jefferson’s Very Small Batch vs Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel
On paper Jefferson’s Very Small Batch and Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel are near neighbours — both traditional bourbons — so proof (82.3 vs. 100) is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Jefferson’s Very Small Batch | Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 10 years |
| Proof | 82.3 proof (41.1% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +18 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$28 – $36 ~$23 less | ~$40 – $70 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- 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.
Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Jefferson’s Very Small Batch Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 4/8 oak: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 4 out of 10, Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel 8 out of 10
heat 2/5 heat: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 2 out of 10, Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/5 nuttiness: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 3 out of 10, Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel 5 out of 10
spice 4/5 spice: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 4 out of 10, Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel 5 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 5 out of 10, Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel 4 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 6 out of 10, Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Oak is doing most of the differentiating here.
- 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.
- Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel: A ten-year bonded single barrel, which is a specification almost nothing else on the shelf matches. Dry and oak-forward with real age showing, though barrel variation means bottles differ more than most.
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 at a lower price point.
- Go with Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel if you want a bonded, ten-year single barrel with genuine age at a sane price with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed rocks, cocktails, highball (Jefferson’s Very Small Batch); neat, rocks (Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel).