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Jefferson's Reserve Very Old vs Rowan's Creek
Jefferson's Reserve Very Old and Rowan's Creek are cut from similar cloth: two takes on traditional bourbons, where the real difference is proof (90.2 vs. 100.1).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Jefferson's Reserve Very Old | Rowan's Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 90.2 proof (45.1% ABV) | 100.1 proof (50.0% ABV) +10 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$55 – $65 | ~$40 – $50 ~$15 less |
- Jefferson's Reserve Very Old and Rowan's Creek do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Rowan's Creek
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Jefferson's Reserve Very Old Rowan's Creek
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 7/4 oak: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 7 out of 10, Rowan's Creek 4 out of 10
spice 5/7 spice: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 5 out of 10, Rowan's Creek 7 out of 10
fruit 6/4 fruit: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 6 out of 10, Rowan's Creek 4 out of 10
heat 4/5 heat: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 4 out of 10, Rowan's Creek 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/2 nuttiness: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 3 out of 10, Rowan's Creek 2 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 6 out of 10, Rowan's Creek 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- 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.
- Rowan's Creek: A small-batch Willett bottling that tastes rye-forward and herbal. Honey and caramel sit under mint, hay and warm spice, with a peppermint lift on the finish.
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 Rowan's Creek if you want an herbal, minty, rye-forward Willett bottling at a lower price point and with slightly more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Jefferson's Reserve Very Old); neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Rowan's Creek).