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Jefferson’s Very Small Batch vs Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel
Comparing Jefferson’s Very Small Batch and Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 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 Single Barrel |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 82.3 proof (41.1% ABV) | 110 proof (55% ABV) +28 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$28 – $36 ~$31 less | ~$55 – $70 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- 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 Single Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Jefferson’s Very Small Batch Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 2/7 heat: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 2 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 7 out of 10
spice 4/8 spice: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 4 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 8 out of 10
oak 4/8 oak: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 4 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 8 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 5 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 4 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 6 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 3 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 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.
- Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel: Non-chill-filtered single barrels at 110 proof, and the format that store picks have made a cult of. Concentrated Wild Turkey character with a texture the standard bottlings do not have.
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 Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel if you want concentrated Wild Turkey character with single-barrel variation and real texture with significantly more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed rocks, cocktails, highball (Jefferson’s Very Small Batch); neat, old-fashioned (Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel).