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Jefferson’s Very Small Batch vs Penelope Toasted Series
Jefferson’s Very Small Batch and Penelope Toasted Series sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: a sourced, classically built blend versus a blender-built, rye-forward bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Jefferson’s Very Small Batch | Penelope Toasted Series |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% 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 ~$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.
Penelope Toasted Series
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Jefferson’s Very Small Batch Penelope Toasted Series
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 4/7 oak: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 4 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 7 out of 10
heat 2/5 heat: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 2 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 5 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 6 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 7 out of 10
spice 4/5 spice: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 4 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 5 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 5 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 3 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 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.
- Penelope Toasted Series: Finished in a second, freshly toasted barrel, which pushes it toward toffee, roasted coffee and darker oak. The toast level changes from batch to batch.
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 Penelope Toasted Series if you want a toasty, coffee-and-toffee bourbon from a second-barrel finish with more proof behind it and with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
Best enjoyed rocks, cocktails, highball (Jefferson’s Very Small Batch); neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Toasted Series).