Compare
Jefferson's Reserve Very Old vs Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
Comparing Jefferson's Reserve Very Old and Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond reveals a matchup between a sourced, even-keeled blend and a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Jefferson's Reserve Very Old | Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% 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 | ~$45 – $55 ~$10 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 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Jefferson's Reserve Very Old Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 6 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10
spice 5/6 spice: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 5 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10
fruit 6/5 fruit: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 6 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
heat 4/5 heat: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 4 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
oak 7/7 oak: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 7 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 3 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 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 1897 Bottled-in-Bond: The bonded entry in the Whiskey Row series and a noticeable step up in density from the standard 100. More oak and more weight, though the price gap to the 100 proof is harder to justify than the flavour gap suggests.
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 1897 Bottled-in-Bond if you want a bonded, denser take on the Old Forester profile with more barrel behind it at a slightly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Jefferson's Reserve Very Old); neat, old-fashioned (Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond).