Compare
Jefferson's Reserve Very Old vs Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel
Put Jefferson's Reserve Very Old next to Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel and you have a blender-built, corn-forward bottling set against a classic, high-rye stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Jefferson's Reserve Very Old | Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 90.2 proof (45.1% ABV) | 110 proof (55% ABV) +20 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$55 – $65 | ~$55 – $70 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- 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.
Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Jefferson's Reserve Very Old Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 5/8 spice: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 5 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 8 out of 10
heat 4/7 heat: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 4 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 7 out of 10
fruit 6/4 fruit: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 6 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 4 out of 10
oak 7/8 oak: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 7 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 8 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 6 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 3 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Rye spice is the dividing line here.
- 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.
- Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel: Non-chill-filtered single barrels at 110 proof, and the format that store picks have made a cult of. Concentrated Wild Turkey character with a texture the standard bottlings do not have.
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 without hunting for it.
- Go with Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel if you want concentrated Wild Turkey character with single-barrel variation and real texture with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Jefferson's Reserve Very Old); neat, old-fashioned (Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel).