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Jefferson's Reserve Very Old vs Old Forester 100 Proof
Jefferson's Reserve Very Old and Old Forester 100 Proof 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 | Old Forester 100 Proof |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 90.2 proof (45.1% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +10 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$55 – $65 | ~$26 – $32 ~$31 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.
Old Forester 100 Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Jefferson's Reserve Very Old Old Forester 100 Proof
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 6 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 7 out of 10
spice 5/6 spice: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 5 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 6 out of 10
oak 7/6 oak: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 7 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 6 out of 10
fruit 6/5 fruit: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 6 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 5 out of 10
heat 4/5 heat: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 4 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 3 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land close together on every flavor axis — the differences are in texture and proof more than character.
- 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.
- Old Forester 100 Proof: The bottle most people should buy from this range: the same recipe as the 86 with enough proof to actually taste it. One of the strongest arguments on the shelf for spending six dollars more.
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 Old Forester 100 Proof if you want the best value in the Old Forester range and a superb old-fashioned base.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Jefferson's Reserve Very Old); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Old Forester 100 Proof).