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Jefferson’s Very Small Batch vs Willett Pot Still Reserve
Comparing Jefferson’s Very Small Batch and Willett Pot Still Reserve is a closer contest than it looks — both are traditional bourbons, separated mainly by proof (82.3 vs. 94).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Jefferson’s Very Small Batch | Willett Pot Still Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 82.3 proof (41.1% ABV) | 94 proof (47% ABV) +12 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$28 – $36 ~$21 less | ~$45 – $60 |
- Jefferson’s Very Small Batch and Willett Pot Still Reserve do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Willett Pot Still Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Jefferson’s Very Small Batch Willett Pot Still Reserve
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 4/6 oak: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 4 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 6 out of 10
heat 2/4 heat: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 2 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 4 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 6 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 7 out of 10
spice 4/5 spice: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 4 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 5 out of 10
fruit 5/6 fruit: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 5 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 3 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 4 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.
- Willett Pot Still Reserve: Famous first for the pot-still-shaped decanter and second for the whiskey, which is a fair ordering. Pleasant, sweet and fruit-leaning, with a good deal of the price attached to the glass.
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 Willett Pot Still Reserve if you want a distinctive bottle on the shelf and an easy, fruit-forward pour inside it with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed rocks, cocktails, highball (Jefferson’s Very Small Batch); neat, rocks (Willett Pot Still Reserve).