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Jefferson’s Very Small Batch vs Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond
Comparing Jefferson’s Very Small Batch and Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond is a closer contest than it looks — both are traditional bourbons, separated mainly by proof (82.3 vs. 100).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Jefferson’s Very Small Batch | Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | 4 years |
| Proof | 82.3 proof (41.1% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +18 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$28 – $36 | ~$16 – $22 ~$13 less |
- Jefferson’s Very Small Batch and Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Jefferson’s Very Small Batch Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 2/5 heat: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 2 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
spice 4/5 spice: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 4 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
oak 4/5 oak: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 4 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 5 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 3 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 6 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 6 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.
- Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond: A bonded 100-proof bourbon at a price that barely seems possible, though distribution is patchy outside Kentucky. Unremarkable in the best way: it does everything a bourbon should and nothing extra.
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.
- Go with Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond if you want a bonded Kentucky bourbon for under twenty dollars, if you can find it in your state with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed rocks, cocktails, highball (Jefferson’s Very Small Batch); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond).