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Jefferson’s Very Small Batch vs New Riff Single Barrel
Comparing Jefferson’s Very Small Batch and New Riff Single Barrel reveals a matchup between a blender-built, even-keeled bottling and a modern, spice-driven craft expression.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Jefferson’s Very Small Batch | New Riff Single Barrel |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 65% corn, 30% rye, 5% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 5 years |
| Proof | 82.3 proof (41.1% ABV) | 105 proof (52.5% ABV) +23 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$28 – $36 ~$31 less | ~$55 – $70 |
- 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 Single Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Jefferson’s Very Small Batch New Riff Single Barrel
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 4/9 spice: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 4 out of 10, New Riff Single Barrel 9 out of 10
heat 2/7 heat: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 2 out of 10, New Riff Single Barrel 7 out of 10
sweetness 6/4 sweetness: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 6 out of 10, New Riff Single Barrel 4 out of 10
oak 4/6 oak: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 4 out of 10, New Riff Single Barrel 6 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 5 out of 10, New Riff Single Barrel 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 3 out of 10, New Riff Single Barrel 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Rye spice is the dividing line 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.
- New Riff Single Barrel: The single-barrel expression of New Riff's 30% rye mash, non-chill-filtered and at higher proof than the bonded version. As dry and peppery as bourbon gets before it stops being bourbon.
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 significantly lower price point.
- Go with New Riff Single Barrel if you want the most aggressively spice-driven bourbon in this list, with single-barrel variation on top with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed rocks, cocktails, highball (Jefferson’s Very Small Batch); neat, old-fashioned (New Riff Single Barrel).