Compare
Jefferson's Reserve Very Old vs Old Grand-Dad Bonded
Jefferson's Reserve Very Old and Old Grand-Dad Bonded 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 Grand-Dad Bonded |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 63% corn, 27% 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 | ~$24 – $30 ~$33 less |
- Jefferson's Reserve Very Old and Old Grand-Dad Bonded do not publish an official mash bill.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 Grand-Dad Bonded
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Jefferson's Reserve Very Old Old Grand-Dad Bonded
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 5/8 spice: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 5 out of 10, Old Grand-Dad Bonded 8 out of 10
oak 7/5 oak: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 7 out of 10, Old Grand-Dad Bonded 5 out of 10
fruit 6/4 fruit: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 6 out of 10, Old Grand-Dad Bonded 4 out of 10
heat 4/6 heat: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 4 out of 10, Old Grand-Dad Bonded 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/5 nuttiness: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 3 out of 10, Old Grand-Dad Bonded 5 out of 10
sweetness 6/5 sweetness: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 6 out of 10, Old Grand-Dad Bonded 5 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.
- Old Grand-Dad Bonded: A bonded 100-proof high-rye bourbon for the price of a mixer, and one of the great bargains on the shelf. Cleaner and less overwhelming than the 114 while keeping the peppery rye backbone.
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 Grand-Dad Bonded if you want a bonded, high-rye workhorse at mixer money with slightly more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Jefferson's Reserve Very Old); neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Old Grand-Dad Bonded).