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Jefferson's Reserve Very Old vs Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel
Jefferson's Reserve Very Old and Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel are cut from similar cloth: two takes on traditional bourbons, where the real difference is price (~$55 – $65 vs. ~$60 – $80).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Jefferson's Reserve Very Old | Elijah Craig Toasted 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) | 94 proof (47% ABV) +4 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$55 – $65 ~$10 less | ~$60 – $80 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- 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 Toasted Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Jefferson's Reserve Very Old Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 6/8 sweetness: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 6 out of 10, Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 8 out of 10
oak 7/9 oak: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 7 out of 10, Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 9 out of 10
fruit 6/4 fruit: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 6 out of 10, Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/5 nuttiness: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 3 out of 10, Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 5 out of 10
spice 5/5 spice: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 5 out of 10, Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 5 out of 10
heat 4/4 heat: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 4 out of 10, Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The clearest split is how sweet each one drinks.
- 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 Toasted Barrel: Finished in a second toasted (not charred) barrel, which produces an unmistakable toasted-marshmallow note. Sweet and heavily wooded, and one of the more distinctive finishes any major producer 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 slightly lower price point.
- Go with Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel if you want a distinctive toasted-oak, marshmallow-sweet finish you will not find in a standard bourbon.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Jefferson's Reserve Very Old); neat, rocks (Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel).