Compare
Jefferson’s Very Small Batch vs Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
Put Jefferson’s Very Small Batch next to Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond and you have a sourced, corn-forward blend set against a classic, high-rye stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Jefferson’s Very Small Batch | Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% 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 ~$18 less | ~$45 – $55 |
- 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 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Jefferson’s Very Small Batch Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 4/7 oak: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 4 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10
heat 2/5 heat: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 2 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
spice 4/6 spice: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 4 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 6 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 5 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 3 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- 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 1897 Bottled-in-Bond: The bonded entry in the Whiskey Row series and a noticeable step up in density from the standard 100. More oak and more weight, though the price gap to the 100 proof is harder to justify than the flavour gap suggests.
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 Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond if you want a bonded, denser take on the Old Forester profile with more barrel behind it with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed rocks, cocktails, highball (Jefferson’s Very Small Batch); neat, old-fashioned (Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond).