Compare
Jefferson's Reserve Very Old vs Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve
Jefferson's Reserve Very Old and Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: a blender-built, classically built bottling versus an old-guard, rye-forward classic.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Jefferson's Reserve Very Old | Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| 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) | 120 proof (60% ABV) +30 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$55 – $65 | ~$45 – $55 ~$10 less |
- Jefferson's Reserve Very Old and Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve do not publish an official mash bill.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 Single Barrel Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Jefferson's Reserve Very Old Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 4/8 heat: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 4 out of 10, Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 8 out of 10
nuttiness 3/7 nuttiness: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 3 out of 10, Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 7 out of 10
fruit 6/3 fruit: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 6 out of 10, Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 3 out of 10
spice 5/7 spice: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 5 out of 10, Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 7 out of 10
oak 7/8 oak: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 7 out of 10, Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 8 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 6 out of 10, Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 6 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.
- Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve: The same nine-year Knob Creek juice bottled from a single barrel at 120 proof, and the extra strength suits it. Everything the standard bottling does, turned up — with the barrel-to-barrel variation that comes with the format.
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 Single Barrel Reserve if you want the Beam profile at serious proof for well under what most barrel-strength bourbons cost.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Jefferson's Reserve Very Old); neat, old-fashioned (Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve).