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Jefferson’s Very Small Batch vs Russell’s Reserve 10 Year
Comparing Jefferson’s Very Small Batch and Russell’s Reserve 10 Year reveals a matchup between a blender-built, even-keeled bottling and a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Jefferson’s Very Small Batch | Russell’s Reserve 10 Year |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 10 years |
| Proof | 82.3 proof (41.1% ABV) | 90 proof (45% ABV) +8 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$28 – $36 ~$13 less | ~$40 – $50 |
- 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.
Russell’s Reserve 10 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Jefferson’s Very Small Batch Russell’s Reserve 10 Year
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 4/8 oak: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 4 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 10 Year 8 out of 10
spice 4/6 spice: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 4 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 10 Year 6 out of 10
heat 2/4 heat: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 2 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 10 Year 4 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 5 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 10 Year 4 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 6 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 10 Year 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 3 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 10 Year 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Oak is doing most of the differentiating 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.
- Russell’s Reserve 10 Year: Ten years of Wild Turkey at a restrained 90 proof, which trades the 101's punch for polish. More oak and more composure, and one of the better age-stated bottles at its price.
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 Russell’s Reserve 10 Year if you want an age-stated, oak-forward Wild Turkey with the volume turned down with slightly more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed rocks, cocktails, highball (Jefferson’s Very Small Batch); neat, rocks (Russell’s Reserve 10 Year).