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Jefferson's Reserve Very Old vs Horse Soldier Barrel Strength
Jefferson's Reserve Very Old and Horse Soldier Barrel Strength sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: a sourced, classically built blend versus an uncut, wheat-forward heavyweight.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Jefferson's Reserve Very Old | Horse Soldier Barrel Strength |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 70% corn, 20% wheat, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 90.2 proof (45.1% ABV) | 111 proof (55.5% ABV) +21 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$55 – $65 ~$22 less | ~$78 – $85 |
- Jefferson's Reserve Very Old and Horse Soldier Barrel Strength do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Horse Soldier Barrel Strength
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Jefferson's Reserve Very Old Horse Soldier Barrel Strength
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 4/7 heat: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 4 out of 10, Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 7 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 6 out of 10, Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 7 out of 10
oak 7/6 oak: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 7 out of 10, Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 6 out of 10
fruit 6/5 fruit: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 6 out of 10, Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 5 out of 10
spice 5/5 spice: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 5 out of 10, Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 3 out of 10, Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Proof and heat dominate the difference.
- 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.
- Horse Soldier Barrel Strength: A barrel-strength wheater from the veteran-founded Horse Soldier brand. Brown sugar and toasted oak lead, baking spice and heat follow, and a splash of water pulls out darker fruit.
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 lower price point.
- Go with Horse Soldier Barrel Strength if you want a big, barrel-strength wheated bourbon with plenty of brown sugar and warmth.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Jefferson's Reserve Very Old); neat, old-fashioned (Horse Soldier Barrel Strength).