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Jefferson's Reserve Very Old vs Elijah Craig Small Batch
Jefferson's Reserve Very Old and Elijah Craig Small Batch are cut from similar cloth: two takes on traditional bourbons, where the real difference is price (~$55 – $65 vs. ~$28 – $35).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Jefferson's Reserve Very Old | Elijah Craig Small Batch |
|---|---|---|
| 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) | 94 proof (47% ABV) +4 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$55 – $65 | ~$28 – $35 ~$29 less |
- Jefferson's Reserve Very Old does 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.
Elijah Craig Small Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Jefferson's Reserve Very Old Elijah Craig Small Batch
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 6/4 fruit: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 6 out of 10, Elijah Craig Small Batch 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 3 out of 10, Elijah Craig Small Batch 4 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 6 out of 10, Elijah Craig Small Batch 6 out of 10
spice 5/5 spice: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 5 out of 10, Elijah Craig Small Batch 5 out of 10
oak 7/7 oak: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 7 out of 10, Elijah Craig Small Batch 7 out of 10
heat 4/4 heat: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 4 out of 10, Elijah Craig Small Batch 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Fruit character is what sets these apart.
- 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.
- Elijah Craig Small Batch: A heavily oak-driven pour for the money, with vanilla bean and brown sugar riding on top of real char and smoke. The extra age shows up as wood depth rather than harshness.
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.
- Go with Elijah Craig Small Batch if you want the best oak-forward value on the shelf, with more wood character than its price suggests.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Jefferson's Reserve Very Old); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Elijah Craig Small Batch).