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Jefferson’s Very Small Batch vs Old Forester 100 Proof
Jefferson’s Very Small Batch and Old Forester 100 Proof sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: a blender-built, classically built bottling versus an old-guard, rye-forward classic.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Jefferson’s Very Small Batch | Old Forester 100 Proof |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 82.3 proof (41.1% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +18 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$28 – $36 | ~$26 – $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.
Old Forester 100 Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Jefferson’s Very Small Batch Old Forester 100 Proof
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 2/5 heat: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 2 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 5 out of 10
spice 4/6 spice: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 4 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 6 out of 10
oak 4/6 oak: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 4 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 6 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 6 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 7 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 5 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 3 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 3 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.
- Old Forester 100 Proof: The bottle most people should buy from this range: the same recipe as the 86 with enough proof to actually taste it. One of the strongest arguments on the shelf for spending six dollars more.
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 Old Forester 100 Proof if you want the best value in the Old Forester range and a superb old-fashioned base.
Best enjoyed rocks, cocktails, highball (Jefferson’s Very Small Batch); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Old Forester 100 Proof).