Compare
Jefferson's Reserve Very Old vs Kentucky Owl Batch 12
Put Jefferson's Reserve Very Old next to Kentucky Owl Batch 12 and you have a blender-built, corn-forward bottling set against a full-proof, unfiltered heavyweight.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Jefferson's Reserve Very Old | Kentucky Owl Batch 12 |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 90.2 proof (45.1% ABV) | 115.8 proof (57.9% ABV) +26 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$55 – $65 ~$290 less | ~$300 – $400 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- Jefferson's Reserve Very Old and Kentucky Owl Batch 12 do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Kentucky Owl Batch 12
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Jefferson's Reserve Very Old Kentucky Owl Batch 12
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 4/7 heat: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 4 out of 10, Kentucky Owl Batch 12 7 out of 10
spice 5/7 spice: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 5 out of 10, Kentucky Owl Batch 12 7 out of 10
fruit 6/4 fruit: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 6 out of 10, Kentucky Owl Batch 12 4 out of 10
oak 7/8 oak: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 7 out of 10, Kentucky Owl Batch 12 8 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 6 out of 10, Kentucky Owl Batch 12 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 3 out of 10, Kentucky Owl Batch 12 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land very differently on the palate for heat.
- 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.
- Kentucky Owl Batch 12: A high-end blend of young and older sourced Kentucky bourbons. Leather, smoky oak and caramel, with a peppery, spice-forward palate.
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 Kentucky Owl Batch 12 if you want a spicy, leathery, high-end blended bourbon with significantly more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Jefferson's Reserve Very Old); neat (Kentucky Owl Batch 12).