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Jefferson's Reserve Very Old vs Maker's Mark
Comparing Jefferson's Reserve Very Old and Maker's Mark reveals a matchup between a sourced, even-keeled blend and a traditional, wheated Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Jefferson's Reserve Very Old | Maker's Mark |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 70% corn, 16% wheat, 14% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 90.2 proof (45.1% ABV) | 90 proof (45% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$55 – $65 | ~$25 – $32 ~$32 less |
- 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.
Maker's Mark
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Jefferson's Reserve Very Old Maker's Mark
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 5/2 spice: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 5 out of 10, Maker's Mark 2 out of 10
oak 7/4 oak: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 7 out of 10, Maker's Mark 4 out of 10
sweetness 6/8 sweetness: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 6 out of 10, Maker's Mark 8 out of 10
fruit 6/4 fruit: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 6 out of 10, Maker's Mark 4 out of 10
heat 4/3 heat: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 4 out of 10, Maker's Mark 3 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 3 out of 10, Maker's Mark 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The gap between these two is mostly about spice.
- 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.
- Maker's Mark: The bottle that made wheated bourbon mainstream. Soft, sweet, and deliberately low on spice and oak, with baked bread and honey doing most of the work. Consistency is its real feature.
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 Maker's Mark if you want a reliably sweet, low-spice wheater that is easy to find and easy to drink at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Jefferson's Reserve Very Old); neat, rocks, cocktails, highball (Maker's Mark).