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Jefferson's Reserve Very Old vs E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel
Jefferson's Reserve Very Old and E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel are cut from similar cloth: two takes on traditional bourbons, where the real difference is price (~$55 – $65 vs. ~$70 – $140).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Jefferson's Reserve Very Old | E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 90.2 proof (45.1% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +10 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$55 – $65 ~$45 less | ~$70 – $140 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Allocated |
- Jefferson's Reserve Very Old and E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel do not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-10; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Jefferson's Reserve Very Old
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Jefferson's Reserve Very Old E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 7/8 oak: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 7 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 8 out of 10
fruit 6/5 fruit: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 6 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 5 out of 10
heat 4/5 heat: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 4 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 3 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 4 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 6 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 6 out of 10
spice 5/5 spice: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 5 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land close together on every flavor axis — the differences are in texture and proof more than character.
- Jefferson's Reserve Very Old: The older, drier sibling of Jefferson's Very Small Batch. Buttery toffee and dried fruit sit on a firm, slightly smoky oak backbone, and the finish turns peppery and long.
- E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel: Single barrels from the warehouse Colonel Taylor built, bonded at 100 proof. More oak and more concentration than the small batch, and one of the most sought-after regular releases Buffalo Trace makes.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Jefferson's Reserve Very Old if you want a mature, oak-driven blend with dried fruit and a dry, peppery finish at an easy proof at a significantly lower price point.
- Go with E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel if you want the most concentrated bonded expression of the Buffalo Trace profile, and the hunt does not deter you with slightly more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Jefferson's Reserve Very Old); neat (E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel).