Compare
Willett Pot Still Reserve vs Jefferson’s Very Small Batch
Comparing Willett Pot Still Reserve and Jefferson’s Very Small Batch is a closer contest than it looks — both are traditional bourbons, separated mainly by proof (94 vs. 82.3).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Willett Pot Still Reserve | Jefferson’s Very Small Batch |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 94 proof (47% ABV) +12 proof | 82.3 proof (41.1% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$45 – $60 | ~$28 – $36 ~$21 less |
- Willett Pot Still Reserve and Jefferson’s Very Small Batch do not publish an official mash bill.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
Willett Pot Still Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Jefferson’s Very Small Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Willett Pot Still Reserve Jefferson’s Very Small Batch
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 6/4 oak: Willett Pot Still Reserve 6 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 4 out of 10
heat 4/2 heat: Willett Pot Still Reserve 4 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 2 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Willett Pot Still Reserve 7 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 6 out of 10
spice 5/4 spice: Willett Pot Still Reserve 5 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 4 out of 10
fruit 6/5 fruit: Willett Pot Still Reserve 6 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 5 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Willett Pot Still Reserve 4 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- Willett Pot Still Reserve: Famous first for the pot-still-shaped decanter and second for the whiskey, which is a fair ordering. Pleasant, sweet and fruit-leaning, with a good deal of the price attached to the glass.
- 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 Willett Pot Still Reserve if you want a distinctive bottle on the shelf and an easy, fruit-forward pour inside it with more proof behind it.
- 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, rocks (Willett Pot Still Reserve); rocks, cocktails, highball (Jefferson’s Very Small Batch).