Compare
Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve vs Jefferson’s Very Small Batch
Comparing Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve and Jefferson’s Very Small Batch reveals a matchup between a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple and a sourced, even-keeled blend.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve | Jefferson’s Very Small Batch |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | 9 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 120 proof (60% ABV) +38 proof | 82.3 proof (41.1% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$45 – $55 | ~$28 – $36 ~$18 less |
- Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve and Jefferson’s Very Small Batch do not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Jefferson’s Very Small Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve Jefferson’s Very Small Batch
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 8/2 heat: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 8 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 2 out of 10
oak 8/4 oak: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 8 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 4 out of 10
nuttiness 7/3 nuttiness: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 7 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 3 out of 10
spice 7/4 spice: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 7 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 4 out of 10
fruit 3/5 fruit: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 3 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 5 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 6 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land very differently on the palate for heat.
- Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve: The same nine-year Knob Creek juice bottled from a single barrel at 120 proof, and the extra strength suits it. Everything the standard bottling does, turned up — with the barrel-to-barrel variation that comes with the format.
- Jefferson’s Very Small Batch: A blend of sourced barrels bottled at a very gentle 82.3 proof. Easy and inoffensive, but thin enough that it is hard to recommend over bonded bottles costing less.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve if you want the Beam profile at serious proof for well under what most barrel-strength bourbons cost.
- Go with Jefferson’s Very Small Batch if you want an especially soft, low-proof pour and gentleness matters more than intensity at a lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve); rocks, cocktails, highball (Jefferson’s Very Small Batch).