Compare
Jefferson's Reserve Very Old vs Knob Creek 9 Year
Comparing Jefferson's Reserve Very Old and Knob Creek 9 Year reveals a matchup between a sourced, even-keeled blend and a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Jefferson's Reserve Very Old | Knob Creek 9 Year |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 9 years |
| Proof | 90.2 proof (45.1% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +10 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$55 – $65 | ~$35 – $40 ~$23 less |
- Jefferson's Reserve Very Old and Knob Creek 9 Year do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Knob Creek 9 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Jefferson's Reserve Very Old Knob Creek 9 Year
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
nuttiness 3/7 nuttiness: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 3 out of 10, Knob Creek 9 Year 7 out of 10
fruit 6/3 fruit: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 6 out of 10, Knob Creek 9 Year 3 out of 10
sweetness 6/5 sweetness: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 6 out of 10, Knob Creek 9 Year 5 out of 10
spice 5/6 spice: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 5 out of 10, Knob Creek 9 Year 6 out of 10
oak 7/8 oak: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 7 out of 10, Knob Creek 9 Year 8 out of 10
heat 4/5 heat: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 4 out of 10, Knob Creek 9 Year 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Nutty, grain-driven character is the divider.
- 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.
- Knob Creek 9 Year: This classic Jim Beam offering leans heavily into traditional oak, rich caramel, vanilla, and the signature Beam peanut-funk nuttiness. At 100 proof it delivers a bolder, more structural wood-and-spice influence with a touch of citrus zest and mint on the finish.
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 Knob Creek 9 Year if you want a classic peanut-and-oak-forward Kentucky bourbon with an older age statement at a lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Jefferson's Reserve Very Old); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Knob Creek 9 Year).