Compare
Jefferson's Reserve Very Old vs Wilderness Trail Bottled-in-Bond
Put Jefferson's Reserve Very Old next to Wilderness Trail Bottled-in-Bond and you have a blender-built, corn-forward bottling set against a contemporary, high-wheat craft build.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Jefferson's Reserve Very Old | Wilderness Trail Bottled-in-Bond |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 64% corn, 24% wheat, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 6 years |
| Proof | 90.2 proof (45.1% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +10 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$55 – $65 | ~$45 – $60 ~$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.
Wilderness Trail Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Jefferson's Reserve Very Old Wilderness Trail Bottled-in-Bond
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 5/3 spice: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 5 out of 10, Wilderness Trail Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10
oak 7/5 oak: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 7 out of 10, Wilderness Trail Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 6 out of 10, Wilderness Trail Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10
heat 4/5 heat: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 4 out of 10, Wilderness Trail Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 3 out of 10, Wilderness Trail Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10
fruit 6/6 fruit: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 6 out of 10, Wilderness Trail Bottled-in-Bond 6 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.
- Wilderness Trail Bottled-in-Bond: A sweet-mash, bonded wheated bourbon from a distillery founded by two fermentation scientists, and the technical care shows in how clean it tastes. One of the strongest craft arguments on the shelf.
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 Wilderness Trail Bottled-in-Bond if you want a bonded, sweet-mash wheater from a modern distillery doing genuinely careful work at a slightly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Jefferson's Reserve Very Old); neat, rocks (Wilderness Trail Bottled-in-Bond).