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Jefferson's Reserve Very Old vs Old Forester Statesman
Jefferson's Reserve Very Old and Old Forester Statesman sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: a sourced, classically built blend versus an old-guard, rye-forward classic.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Jefferson's Reserve Very Old | Old Forester Statesman |
|---|---|---|
| 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) | 95 proof (47.5% ABV) +5 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$55 – $65 | ~$50 – $55 ~$8 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 Statesman
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Jefferson's Reserve Very Old Old Forester Statesman
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 6/8 sweetness: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 6 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 8 out of 10
oak 7/5 oak: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 7 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10
fruit 6/7 fruit: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 6 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 7 out of 10
nuttiness 3/2 nuttiness: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 3 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 2 out of 10
spice 5/5 spice: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 5 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10
heat 4/4 heat: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 4 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Sweetness is where these two part ways.
- 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 Statesman: Old Forester's fruit-forward middle child, first made for a spy movie tie-in. Bright cherry and brown sugar lead, with cocoa and a touch of the house banana note.
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 Statesman if you want a bright, cherry-sweet Old Forester that sits between the 100 and 1920 in weight at a slightly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Jefferson's Reserve Very Old); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Old Forester Statesman).