Compare
Jefferson’s Very Small Batch vs Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve
Comparing Jefferson’s Very Small Batch and Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve reveals a matchup between a blender-built, even-keeled bottling and a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Jefferson’s Very Small Batch | Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 9 years |
| Proof | 82.3 proof (41.1% ABV) | 120 proof (60% ABV) +38 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$28 – $36 ~$18 less | ~$45 – $55 |
- Jefferson’s Very Small Batch and Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Jefferson’s Very Small Batch Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 2/8 heat: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 2 out of 10, Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 8 out of 10
oak 4/8 oak: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 4 out of 10, Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 8 out of 10
nuttiness 3/7 nuttiness: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 3 out of 10, Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 7 out of 10
spice 4/7 spice: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 4 out of 10, Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 7 out of 10
fruit 5/3 fruit: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 5 out of 10, Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 3 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 6 out of 10, Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land very differently on the palate for heat.
- 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.
- Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve: The same nine-year Knob Creek juice bottled from a single barrel at 120 proof, and the extra strength suits it. Everything the standard bottling does, turned up — with the barrel-to-barrel variation that comes with the format.
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 Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve if you want the Beam profile at serious proof for well under what most barrel-strength bourbons cost.
Best enjoyed rocks, cocktails, highball (Jefferson’s Very Small Batch); neat, old-fashioned (Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve).