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Jefferson’s Very Small Batch vs Woodford Reserve
Jefferson’s Very Small Batch and Woodford Reserve sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: a sourced, classically built blend versus an old-guard, rye-forward classic.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Jefferson’s Very Small Batch | Woodford Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 82.3 proof (41.1% ABV) | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) +8 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$28 – $36 ~$7 less | ~$35 – $42 |
- 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.
Woodford Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Jefferson’s Very Small Batch Woodford Reserve
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 4/6 spice: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 4 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10
oak 4/6 oak: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 4 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10
heat 2/4 heat: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 2 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 4 out of 10
fruit 5/6 fruit: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 5 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 6 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 3 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The gap between these two is mostly about spice.
- 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.
- Woodford Reserve: The most widely poured premium bourbon in America, and a genuinely well-made one. Dried fruit and cocoa over a balanced 18% rye mash, finished smooth enough to please almost anyone.
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 slightly lower price point.
- Go with Woodford Reserve if you want a polished, widely available crowd-pleaser that never puts a foot wrong with slightly more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed rocks, cocktails, highball (Jefferson’s Very Small Batch); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Woodford Reserve).