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Jefferson's Reserve Very Old vs Penelope Toasted Series
Jefferson's Reserve Very Old and Penelope Toasted Series sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: a sourced, classically built blend versus a blender-built, rye-forward bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Jefferson's Reserve Very Old | Penelope Toasted Series |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% 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 | ~$55 – $70 |
- 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.
Penelope Toasted Series
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Jefferson's Reserve Very Old Penelope Toasted Series
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 6/4 fruit: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 6 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 4 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 6 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 7 out of 10
heat 4/5 heat: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 4 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 5 out of 10
spice 5/5 spice: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 5 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 5 out of 10
oak 7/7 oak: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 7 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 7 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 3 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Fruit character is what sets these apart.
- 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.
- Penelope Toasted Series: Finished in a second, freshly toasted barrel, which pushes it toward toffee, roasted coffee and darker oak. The toast level changes from batch to batch.
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 Penelope Toasted Series if you want a toasty, coffee-and-toffee bourbon from a second-barrel finish with slightly more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Jefferson's Reserve Very Old); neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Toasted Series).