Compare
Jefferson's Reserve Very Old vs New Riff Bottled-in-Bond
Put Jefferson's Reserve Very Old next to New Riff Bottled-in-Bond and you have a sourced, corn-forward blend set against a contemporary, high-rye craft build.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Jefferson's Reserve Very Old | New Riff Bottled-in-Bond |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 65% corn, 30% rye, 5% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 4 years |
| Proof | 90.2 proof (45.1% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +10 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$55 – $65 | ~$38 – $45 ~$19 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.
New Riff Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Jefferson's Reserve Very Old New Riff Bottled-in-Bond
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 5/9 spice: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 5 out of 10, New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 9 out of 10
sweetness 6/4 sweetness: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 6 out of 10, New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10
oak 7/5 oak: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 7 out of 10, New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
heat 4/6 heat: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 4 out of 10, New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10
fruit 6/5 fruit: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 6 out of 10, New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 3 out of 10, New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 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.
- New Riff Bottled-in-Bond: At 30% rye this is about as spice-forward as bourbon gets before becoming rye whiskey. Peppery and herbal with mint and dill, non-chill-filtered for texture, and noticeably dry rather than sweet.
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 New Riff Bottled-in-Bond if you want aggressive rye spice and a dry, herbal profile from a modern craft distillery at a lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Jefferson's Reserve Very Old); neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (New Riff Bottled-in-Bond).