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Jefferson’s Very Small Batch vs Old Forester Statesman
Put Jefferson’s Very Small Batch next to Old Forester Statesman 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 Statesman |
|---|---|---|
| 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) | 95 proof (47.5% ABV) +13 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$28 – $36 ~$21 less | ~$50 – $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 Statesman
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Jefferson’s Very Small Batch Old Forester Statesman
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 6/8 sweetness: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 6 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 8 out of 10
fruit 5/7 fruit: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 5 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 7 out of 10
heat 2/4 heat: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 2 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 4 out of 10
spice 4/5 spice: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 4 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10
oak 4/5 oak: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 4 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/2 nuttiness: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 3 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 2 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Sweetness is where these two part ways.
- 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 Statesman: Old Forester's fruit-forward middle child, first made for a spy movie tie-in. Bright cherry and brown sugar lead, with cocoa and a touch of the house banana note.
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 Statesman if you want a bright, cherry-sweet Old Forester that sits between the 100 and 1920 in weight with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed rocks, cocktails, highball (Jefferson’s Very Small Batch); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Old Forester Statesman).