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Jefferson’s Very Small Batch vs New Riff Bottled-in-Bond
Comparing Jefferson’s Very Small Batch and New Riff Bottled-in-Bond reveals a matchup between a sourced, even-keeled blend and a modern, spice-driven craft expression.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Jefferson’s Very Small Batch | New Riff Bottled-in-Bond |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 65% corn, 30% rye, 5% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 4 years |
| Proof | 82.3 proof (41.1% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +18 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$28 – $36 ~$10 less | ~$38 – $45 |
- 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.
New Riff Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Jefferson’s Very Small Batch New Riff Bottled-in-Bond
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 4/9 spice: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 4 out of 10, New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 9 out of 10
heat 2/6 heat: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 2 out of 10, New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10
sweetness 6/4 sweetness: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 6 out of 10, New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10
oak 4/5 oak: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 4 out of 10, New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 5 out of 10, New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 3 out of 10, New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 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.
- New Riff Bottled-in-Bond: At 30% rye this is about as spice-forward as bourbon gets before becoming rye whiskey. Peppery and herbal with mint and dill, non-chill-filtered for texture, and noticeably dry rather than sweet.
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 slightly lower price point.
- Go with New Riff Bottled-in-Bond if you want aggressive rye spice and a dry, herbal profile from a modern craft distillery with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed rocks, cocktails, highball (Jefferson’s Very Small Batch); neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (New Riff Bottled-in-Bond).