Compare
Maker's Mark vs Jefferson's Reserve Very Old
Comparing Maker's Mark and Jefferson's Reserve Very Old reveals a matchup between a traditional, wheated Kentucky staple and a blender-built, even-keeled bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Maker's Mark | Jefferson's Reserve Very Old |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 70% corn, 16% wheat, 14% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) | 90.2 proof (45.1% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$25 – $32 ~$32 less | ~$55 – $65 |
- Jefferson's Reserve Very Old does 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
Maker's Mark
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Jefferson's Reserve Very Old
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Maker's Mark Jefferson's Reserve Very Old
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 2/5 spice: Maker's Mark 2 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 5 out of 10
oak 4/7 oak: Maker's Mark 4 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 7 out of 10
sweetness 8/6 sweetness: Maker's Mark 8 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 6 out of 10
fruit 4/6 fruit: Maker's Mark 4 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 6 out of 10
heat 3/4 heat: Maker's Mark 3 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Maker's Mark 3 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The gap between these two is mostly about spice.
- Maker's Mark: The bottle that made wheated bourbon mainstream. Soft, sweet, and deliberately low on spice and oak, with baked bread and honey doing most of the work. Consistency is its real feature.
- 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.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Maker's Mark if you want a reliably sweet, low-spice wheater that is easy to find and easy to drink at a significantly lower price point.
- 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.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, cocktails, highball (Maker's Mark); neat, rocks (Jefferson's Reserve Very Old).