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Old Grand-Dad 114 vs Jefferson's Reserve Very Old
Old Grand-Dad 114 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 Grand-Dad 114 | Jefferson's Reserve Very Old |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 63% corn, 27% rye, 10% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 114 proof (57% ABV) +24 proof | 90.2 proof (45.1% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$28 – $35 ~$29 less | ~$55 – $65 |
- Old Grand-Dad 114 and Jefferson's Reserve Very Old do not publish an official mash bill.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
Old Grand-Dad 114
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Jefferson's Reserve Very Old
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Grand-Dad 114 Jefferson's Reserve Very Old
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 9/5 spice: Old Grand-Dad 114 9 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 5 out of 10
heat 8/4 heat: Old Grand-Dad 114 8 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 4 out of 10
fruit 4/6 fruit: Old Grand-Dad 114 4 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 6 out of 10
nuttiness 5/3 nuttiness: Old Grand-Dad 114 5 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 3 out of 10
oak 6/7 oak: Old Grand-Dad 114 6 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 7 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Old Grand-Dad 114 6 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The gap between these two is mostly about spice.
- Old Grand-Dad 114: The best proof-per-dollar in American whiskey and it is not especially close. The 27% rye mash at 114 proof is loud, peppery and completely unsubtle, which is exactly why it makes such a good old-fashioned.
- 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 Grand-Dad 114 if you want maximum rye spice and proof for under thirty dollars.
- 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, old-fashioned, cocktails (Old Grand-Dad 114); neat, rocks (Jefferson's Reserve Very Old).