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Old Forester 100 Proof vs Jefferson’s Very Small Batch
Old Forester 100 Proof and Jefferson’s Very Small Batch sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an old-guard, rye-forward classic versus a sourced, classically built blend.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 100 Proof | Jefferson’s Very Small Batch |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) +18 proof | 82.3 proof (41.1% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$26 – $32 | ~$28 – $36 |
- Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 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
Old Forester 100 Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Jefferson’s Very Small Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 100 Proof Jefferson’s Very Small Batch
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 5/2 heat: Old Forester 100 Proof 5 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 2 out of 10
spice 6/4 spice: Old Forester 100 Proof 6 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 4 out of 10
oak 6/4 oak: Old Forester 100 Proof 6 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 4 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Old Forester 100 Proof 7 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 6 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Old Forester 100 Proof 5 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Old Forester 100 Proof 3 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land very differently on the palate for heat.
- Old Forester 100 Proof: The bottle most people should buy from this range: the same recipe as the 86 with enough proof to actually taste it. One of the strongest arguments on the shelf for spending six dollars more.
- 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 Old Forester 100 Proof if you want the best value in the Old Forester range and a superb old-fashioned base.
- Go with Jefferson’s Very Small Batch if you want an especially soft, low-proof pour and gentleness matters more than intensity.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Old Forester 100 Proof); rocks, cocktails, highball (Jefferson’s Very Small Batch).