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Jefferson’s Very Small Batch vs Uncle Nearest 1856
Jefferson’s Very Small Batch and Uncle Nearest 1856 are cut from similar cloth: two takes on traditional bourbons, where the real difference is proof (82.3 vs. 100).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Jefferson’s Very Small Batch | Uncle Nearest 1856 |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Traditional Tennessee Whiskey |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| 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- Jefferson’s Very Small Batch and Uncle Nearest 1856 do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Uncle Nearest 1856
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Jefferson’s Very Small Batch Uncle Nearest 1856
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 4/7 oak: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 4 out of 10, Uncle Nearest 1856 7 out of 10
heat 2/5 heat: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 2 out of 10, Uncle Nearest 1856 5 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 6 out of 10, Uncle Nearest 1856 7 out of 10
spice 4/5 spice: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 4 out of 10, Uncle Nearest 1856 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 3 out of 10, Uncle Nearest 1856 4 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 5 out of 10, Uncle Nearest 1856 5 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.
- Uncle Nearest 1856: Named for Nathan 'Nearest' Green, the enslaved distiller who taught Jack Daniel, and now backed by the brand's own distillery in Shelbyville. Sweet and maple-leaning with the charcoal-mellowed softness of the style.
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 Uncle Nearest 1856 if you want a sweet, maple-forward Tennessee whiskey with a story worth knowing behind it with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed rocks, cocktails, highball (Jefferson’s Very Small Batch); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Uncle Nearest 1856).