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Old Forester Statesman vs Jefferson's Reserve Very Old
Old Forester Statesman and Jefferson's Reserve Very Old sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an old-guard, rye-forward classic versus a blender-built, classically built bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester Statesman | Jefferson's Reserve Very Old |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 95 proof (47.5% ABV) +5 proof | 90.2 proof (45.1% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$50 – $55 ~$8 less | ~$55 – $65 |
- 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
Old Forester Statesman
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Jefferson's Reserve Very Old
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester Statesman Jefferson's Reserve Very Old
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 8/6 sweetness: Old Forester Statesman 8 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 6 out of 10
oak 5/7 oak: Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 7 out of 10
fruit 7/6 fruit: Old Forester Statesman 7 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 6 out of 10
nuttiness 2/3 nuttiness: Old Forester Statesman 2 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 3 out of 10
spice 5/5 spice: Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 5 out of 10
heat 4/4 heat: Old Forester Statesman 4 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Sweetness is where these two part ways.
- Old Forester Statesman: Old Forester's fruit-forward middle child, first made for a spy movie tie-in. Bright cherry and brown sugar lead, with cocoa and a touch of the house banana note.
- 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 Old Forester Statesman if you want a bright, cherry-sweet Old Forester that sits between the 100 and 1920 in weight at a slightly 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, old-fashioned (Old Forester Statesman); neat, rocks (Jefferson's Reserve Very Old).