As Johnny Walker Black is to Scotch, Jefferson’s Small Batch is to Bourbon.
Jefferson’s was founded in 1997 by Trey Zoeller and his father Chet — a famed Bourbon historian who wrote the book on Kentucky distilleries. Yes, an actual book called "Bourbon in Kentucky: A History of Distilleries in Kentucky." And eight generations ago, their great-great-grandmother was arrested for the "production and sales of spiritous liquors" in 1799. Which makes her the coolest great-great-grandmother ever! They acquire and produce a range of specialty Bourbons and Rye Whiskeys. In 2007 Jefferson’s was sold to Castle Brands as they build their own liquor empire portfolio of premium Spirits.
They make no bones about it — Jefferson’s Small Batch is a blend of small batch Bourbons. They mix and match to strike a balance between sophistication and approachability, and by all accounts, the effort has been a success. Since the Bourbons that make up this blend are chosen as needed to maintain the character of the product, an age statement is not possible. But don’t let that scare you off. Jefferson’s Small Batch is a premium Bourbon that deserves to be in that category. Think of it like this — as Johnny Walker Black is to Scotch, Jefferson’s Small Batch is to Bourbon. We think that it will be a contender for your daily drinker.
What does Jefferson's Very Small Batch Bourbon taste like?
The Flavor Spiral™ shows the most common flavors that you'll taste in Jefferson's Very Small Batch Bourbon and gives you a chance to have a taste of it before actually tasting it.
We invented Flavor Spiral™ here at Flaviar to get all your senses involved in tasting drinks and, frankly, because we think that classic tasting notes are boring.
Dog Dogson's
Smartass Corner
Bourbon matures quicker than Scotch due to higher temperatures in American warehouses.
Kind of what I expected. Good caramel and honey notes with a hint of “nutty”?? The description says pecans but, I picked up walnuts. All in all, not a bad bourbon and I may even purchase it again.
Peter,
Smooth. My "cigar" friends and I truly enjoyed.
Carl,
AS a committed Scotch drinker I was very pleasantly surprised by Jefferson's. Very smooth and flavorful. Not too sweet. Stood up on the rocks.
Seth,
Uh tcb t GF
Matthew,
Sweet is my take on it. Not a whole lot going on with it. Definitely not as good as I was hoping.
Tony,
Smooth as silk.
Michael,
Smooth and silky. One of the better bourbons I have had recently. Just got another bottle to keep in my collection
Devin,
Great bourbon at a very affordable price! Sweet taste and smooth going down. Will definitely buy again!
Terry,
Smooth.
Bill,
Really smooth, great balance.
Jacob,
Love this one. It’s great for sipping. I prefer it over ice but I’m an on the rocks guy. It’s my favorite at the moment. I also just joined flaviar.
James,
Nice bourbon
Michael,
Rich, Smooth, and almost creamy on the tongue. Definitely one of my new faves
Suzanna,
Smooth flavor, no harsh burn. A mild bourbon.
Joshua,
Not bad but not great
John,
This was the smoothest whiskey I have ever tasted, & will definitely be my go to whiskey!
Peter,
One of my favorite go-to’s. Smooth right out of the bottle.
Matthew,
Really enjoying this bourbon. I am still new to drinking good bourbon and I find this one to be very tasty. I tried it first straight and really enjoyed the finish.
Greg,
Jefferson's was very good, I enjoyed the bottle with friends and family. Didn't detect any of the hinted notes you described but a good bottle non the less.
Brandon,
This Bourbon is pretty good. It's versatile, you can drink it neat or on the rocks and my wife could mix it since Bourbon isn't her thing. For the price though, there are better Bourbons out there.
Eric,
Garbage
Roy,
Not bad. Not as good as my favorite Woodford Reserve but close. I'm still searching for a Bourbon under $100 that can knock it off the podium.
guest,
Smooth and affordable.
David,
I really enjoyed this whiskey. I've never heard of this brand. I was pleasantly surprised. It had a little bit of a bite on the backside, but overall very good. I would definitely buy this again.
Maureen,
Never had this before, but enjoyed it vey much. smooth and easy to drink with great bourbon flavor.
Russell,
Smooth. Average for me, if you like caramel you’ll grade it above. Not a lot of bite to the finish unless you give it a swish or two after sipping.
Janeen,
Nice entry level basic bourbon. Good flavor, smooth, etc. Waters down a little quick if you prefer ice.
Dylan,
Cool name nice bottle, average whiskey
Maury,
I enjoyed it, a bit of bite on the way down but, very good.
Ron,
Smooth. Like the people at Jefferson’s said light smoke. If you’re looking for a whiskey that tastes like chewing on a burnt piece of wood , this isn’t for you. If you want to taste the other flavors used to make this alcohol, it is for you
xavier,
Good
xavier,
N/A
xavier,
This is very good not too much of a bite when drinking it straight and great when mixed
Matt,
Pretty unremarkable
Jamie,
Love it. Also Jefferson’s Ocean is wonderful
Robert,
I love my Jack Daniels,But Jefferson is Awesome.Love it.
Stan,
Still a little too bitey for me straight. Add a little lemon or honey, or even ginger ale and I am sure it will be very nice!
Michael,
Very smooth
Brad,
This was a nice and enjoyable drink! Flavors are vibrant and the pecan comes through as an enjoyable exciting flavor to the wonderful peppered finish! As a mix the wood and char are extremely satisfying!
Brad,
Flavors are vibrant. Smooth and very enjoyable! Mixed the wood flavor is extremely noticable and makes for an enjoyable difference versus a standard bourbon!
BRIAN,
I'm bad at tasting notes all I know is it's very tasty to me
David,
Spicy yet smooth. Great finish
Luis,
Smooth finish, easy to sip
Jeff,
Excellent one our favorites a new staple in our house!
Jared,
Very smooth. A bit sweet on the finish but not overpowering
Diane,
I haven’t met a Jefferson I didn’t like. The very small batch is a really nice dram for the price. To date, my fav is the Ocean, because you can taste beach air when sipped neat.
Doug,
Didn’t last long. Great old fashioned and Manhattan maker.
guest,
Smooth as a baby’s behind
Chris,
Good bite. Spice. Caramel. Slight citrus. Pleasant sipper.
Colby,
Love it neat
Charles,
Maybe because I was expecting too much based on previous ratings, I am not impressed. It is a decent bourbon but for sure it is not a premium bourbon.
Dorian,
Immediate rich and sweet finish. Very drinkable neat. Vanilla aromas
Randall,
As most of the other reviewers have noted...extremely smooth sipper! You could drink a fair amount and hardly notice. Definitely worth the purchase.
Dale,
Smooth; would be a decent sipper. At the nose I smell Cinnamon. Color is a light amber. I taste Cinnamon, Pepper, Orange Zest, Vanilla, and Pecan.
Wilfredo,
Great flavor profile. I had this on ice and had a subtle sweetness toward the end. Price is good I compared this with the knob creek aged 9 years on a blind test and picked this one over the knob creek.
David,
It was my first time with a blended bourbon and I recommend Jefferson's to anyone who wants to try something new!
Orlando,
Very smooth sipping Bourbon.
Richard,
Very smooth one of my favorites so far. Very good neat or with a mixer
Tyler,
Very smooth, great mouth-feel. I’ve been enjoying it neat, so perhaps it opens up more with water or chilled, but I didn’t find it overly spice-forward. A very enjoyable spirit that doesn’t break the bank to sip on the regular.
Sam,
Delicious. Great for an old fashioned.
Garry,
Sipped it neat, with water, and over ice. I agree with other reviewers that I prefer the chilled taste. Definitely get the spice and the sweet notes. Finish is long and somewhat warming.
Maxine,
Smooth enough to drink straight with a subtle sweetness. Unfortunately it’s named for a rapist and slaver.
Eric,
Great flavor over ice.
Jim,
This was probably the most disliked bourbon I've ever had.
The smell was the first hint followed up by the god awful taste. I can always find SOMETHING of value in almost every bottle but not this. It's simply undrinkable. I must have 30 bourbons in rotation. This will never get used.
Zachary,
Smooth and light. It's a bit sweet as well, which I enjoy. I've found a lot of whiskey's don't share this trait, but I really prefer a hint of sweetness. I've never been a big Bourbon guy, more Irish. If you are like me in that regard, this is a good transition to Bourbon.
Jeff,
Smooth. Makes a great Manhattan. A winner.
Gary,
Smooth and light, good straight or a mixer.
Timothy,
Very smooth and the flavor is great near or on the rocks. Great bourbon
Michael,
I liked this bourbon, very smooth, great value, and have recommended this brand to others. It will stay on my “go to” list going forward.
Chris,
A decent mixing bourbon but a little flavorless for drinking neat or on the rocks
Tim,
I thought this was a very smooth bourbon. The flavor was very good. It had a pleasant nose. There was just something in the aftertaste. I am not sure if they use water that’s has a high mineral content but there was a hard water aftertaste that took away from the finish for me. I am sure this is just a preference type of thing. Overall I thought it was very good and probably deserves a higher rating but for me it is a little lower due to an aftertaste that I was picking up.
Samuel,
Smooth and relatively inexpensive. Definitely a recommendation for someone starting out who's looking for a very nice sipping bourbon.
Jasson,
Quite smooth. A lot of sweet notes behind the subtle spice. A seriously good bourbon for it's price range.
Todd,
When you can’t find Jefferson’s Reserve.
Jeff,
Very good taste both by itself as well as with a mix. Being brand new to the Whiskey and Bourbon world was a great choice for a beginner.
Gery,
I really like this bourbon. So smooth. Will buy again.
Paul,
I like the bottle design, but the stopper is cheap. It smells of oak and sweet caramel, but I found the taste to be watery and weak. It was fairly smooth.
guest,
Love it
Danny,
Seemed very smooth for sipping. I enjoyed this one and will buy again,
KENNETH,
I like my bourbons almost chewy and deeply satisfying. This was okay but I couldn't drink it neat or over ice because it was very much like a rye. I hate ryes. It does make a good cocktail but I wouldn't buy it again.
Kathi,
The honey and spice tastes added a very delicate taste. I enjoyed it on the rocks and in an Old Fashion.
Gordon,
Spice, yes. Pecan pie, yes. A touch of honey, yes. This bourbon hits all points, but doesn't hit them too hard. It's a nice soft, easy drinking bourbon. It would get lost mixed with anything more than club soda.
Mac,
The faintest finish of some kind of impure polish. It's very tasty. I don't like it straight as much as I do with an ice cube, but it's too nice to put in anything more complicated than an old fashioned. It's in some kind of liminal space.
David,
This is a very nice, easy to drink bourbon with just enough of the traditional bite that I expect to take it out of the "beginner bourbon" category (think Angel's Envy). I think this one is a great step up for someone who is looking to expand beyond a basic bourbon, and its still enjoyable for someone with more bourbon experience.
Susan,
Better with an ice ball. I would purchase this whiskey again. Smooth with some complex flavors.
Matthew,
Very good bourbon. Drinks well as a neat or add some water
Matthew,
Perfect
Benjamin,
Smooth. Very tasty. Excellent bourbon for every night.
Kevin,
I like it with an ice ball
Roger,
This one surprised me. A really nice flavor, smooth and a good price point. It's found a permanent spot on the shelf.
Jack,
Very tasty and smooth. A very nice bourbon for a casual night.
Matt,
Very smooth. Great chilled.
Terry,
A good solid bourbon. I liked it better with a little water to open it up.
Christian,
Smooth and delicious
Rich,
Great sipping whiskey.
Joe,
It was an upscale bourbon. Comparable to Woodford in smoothness.
Jim,
Perfect proof. Even though there is a spicy bite the full bourbon flavor comes through.
Ben,
So smooth! Just make sure you drink it neat. Jefferson doesn’t need any bullshit added. This is full of flavor. I definitely will buy it again.
Tyler,
Definitely a higher rye grain bill, there is a funky, spicy note that dominates the nose and palate. Beyond that there's a bubblegum and candy quality to this bourbon. The low proof is evident, but not a detriment.
Matthew,
Really smooth, flavor takes a while to come through
Thomas,
One of my favorites!
Joe,
Smooth no burn and leaves a clean palate
Kyle,
I like this bourbon. Enjoyable.
Ryan,
Very mild - almost too mild if you like a little spice. It's solid but not the best.
Vic,
Smooth. Hints of caramel.
Daniel,
Spicy and caramel. Not bad, I could see is buying this sometime.
guest,
Brilliant bourbon, easy sipping, not too sweet.
Anthony,
For what its worth is a nice little bourbon. Perfect for a an everyday sipper. Simple notes of wood, leather vanilla none of which dominate. Smooth and easy to take neat.
John,
Not bad, but not great. I wouldn't be offended if handed a glass. However, I wouldn't seek it out either. Price is reasonable so it could be a good present for someone who has a delicate palate.
Johnathan,
Very smooth, great sipping bourbon.
Daniel,
Not a fan, given to me as a gift
Steven,
Excellent for the price, good small batch type flavor. Quality bourbon
Mitchell,
Starts off mild. Shifts into a cleaner-like chemical taste. Ends with warmth.
brandon,
very simple and effective bourbon. vanilla and oak throughout the nose and palate. a no brainer when it came to picking my quarterly free bottle. Will definitely pick up again.
Mark,
Great looking bottle on the shelf and very drinkable neat or on the rocks. For less than 35 I would definitely buy again.
Chris,
Inexpensive, mild and a great bourbon for those with a more sensitive taste.
Steven,
It's a decent low level bourbon but still tasty. Perfect pour for a bourbon manhattan.
Matthew,
It’s ok but not as good as Makers or Knob Creek; those are my standards
Tracy,
Good for sippin’
Leslie,
Just average and a little on the dry side for my liking. Not very complex, somewhat on the light/plain side.
Ira,
Inexpensive and tasty
Stephen,
Great QPR. Makes a great sipper with an ice cube and splash of water!
Wade,
Good easy drinker
Richard,
Not a bad sipper at all in my humble opinion, esp with an ice cube.... Honey and vanilla notes with a short finish. It is not overly complex, and sometimes that's a good thing. Moderate proof, which contributes to the overall smoothness. I recommend and will buy again
Mark,
6.5/10
Better than average bourbon. Good looking bottle on the shelf. An OK sipper, not the best. Overall, a fair deal for the price, and worth trying.
Haven't tried on rocks yet.
Katelyn,
smooth light. flaky - tends to leave the party early. Big smoker.
John,
Very smooth to the pallet. Highly recommend
Michael,
Light and smooth
John,
Smooth, easy drinking whiskey
JANICE,
Very smooth easy drinking whiskey.
Chris,
My go to. Very similar to Buffalo Trace.
Jeremy,
This batch was a little disappointing to me. The very old small batch is a step up and much better. This one is a little to thin for my taste
Rich,
This is my first selection from the club and I couldn't be happier. This surprising bourbon is perfectly balanced between sweet/caramel and a touch of spiciness. Nice all around and drinkable neat.
Christopher,
Good smooth bourbon but nothing in particular sets it apart from the rest. Would rate it slightly better than Makers.
Jonathan,
Smooth and mellow. Nice taste, nice price. A good solid bourbon. It stands up to ice but it is better neat.
Joshua,
Spicy with a nice caramel/honey balance.
David,
Easy to drink, caramel sweet but not too sweet, not too complex but not boring. A pretty mellow one worth trying
Matt,
Good bite off the top, but pretty average.
Laura,
Solid, nice caramel notes
Stefanos,
Nice spice and caramel flavor. Better dry
guest,
Not very memorable.
Christopher,
For the price point, it is pretty good. I got it at the NH state liquor store for $28! I thought 6 stars was too low. I have tasted this several times. I found that it is not my “go to”. I got the caramel notes and some spice. Missed out on the pecan pie. Finish is ok. Also, I hated it with ice. I felt like it tasted awful with 1 ice cube. Much better at room temp. Probably will not get it again unless I serve it to people that ruin nice whiskey. I did use it today with maple syrup and made bourbon pancakes. They were outstanding.
Paul,
Not my flavor palette. Not bad but not something that I would search out.
Alex,
I like a strong Whiskey, and this one is just too weak for me taste, and at the price point Knob Creek and Bulleit are far better.
Tyson,
Really surprised by this. Didn’t do much for me at first but leveled up after a while. Really nice.
Eric,
Great! Perfect sipping Bottle.
Jason,
smooth with a caramel flavor
Elizabeth,
very smooth!
Michael,
Spicy
Eric,
Enjoyed with a nice cigar. Great smell, easy finish, not too many distinct flavors
John,
My favorite bourbon so far. Great depth.
Brett,
Honestly, I didn't love it. It's fine for a dirt-cheap whiskey, but there wasn't really anything special to say. A bit harsh neat, okay on the rocks. I'll blaspheme and mix the rest of the bottle with Coke.
Dain,
Very smooth, good taste, really enjoyed it and will keep a bottle on hand.
Jonathan,
I think this is the one Jeff always had got me. Will have to investigate next time at store.
John,
Very smooth, good taste, enjoyed it while it lasted.
Rene,
Great taste and smooth for the price but the ocean is still my favorite
Aaron,
Smooth and sweet
Sean,
Great taste and smooth af... it’s great for the price and I believe it can hang with some of the higher end bourbons.
Raymond,
not a lot of flavor, smooth
guest,
Very smooth, nice aftertaste. Really opens up with a small splash of water.
Kirk,
Very smooth, hit hard at first with a bunch of spicy flavor then quickly fades leaving a smooth burn in your throat.
Brittany,
Love this. Lighter flavor. Smooth and a touch of sweetness. Will be ordering again
Chris,
Really a great everyday bourbon. Super smooth with a good lingering spice. Can’t beat it for the price
Jonathan,
Dusting of wheat, touch of sugar and a hint of cream, but overall an overly simple profile. Lingering alcohol burn in mouth, but finishes clean and quick (not bad, but not memorable).
Jefferson’s was founded in 1997 by Trey Zoeller and his father Chet—a famed Bourbon historian who wrote the book on Kentucky distilleries called “Bourbon in Kentucky: A History of Distilleries in Kentucky.” And eight generations ago, their great-great-grandmother was arrested for the “production and sales of spiritous liquors” in 1799.” In 2005, Castle Brands purchased McClain & Kyne which held ownership of the Jefferson’s name. Up until 2015, Jefferson’s was distilled by various distilleries. In 2015 Castle Brands purchased a 20% share in the Copperhead Distillery Company. Copperhead owns and operates Kentucky Artisan Distillery, which is rumored to now supply approximately 25% of the bourbon used in Jefferson’s Very Small Batch Bourbon.
Jefferson’s Small Batch is a blend of small batch Bourbons. While no exact ratio of barrels is given, Jefferson’s states that “four different Kentucky straight bourbon whiskies of different ages...one of the blends comprising of at least 55% of the total” are blended together to form each very small batch. Since the Bourbons that make up this blend are chosen as needed to maintain the character of the product, an age statement is not possible.
Brett,
Very smooth going down with a nutty flavor. Will share with my family to get their thoughts.
Jim,
tasty, starts smooth then leaves a bite
guest,
One of my favorites! Some say spicy but I get more sweet Carmel wood pie flavor.
Brad,
One the better bourbons I have had would recommend thos.
Brett,
Very smooth as a neat drink. Could become a favorite
guest,
A solid sipping bourbon a little spicy with a taste of caramel and honey.
Sami,
I enjoyed it on the rocks, not bad to sip on.
Mark,
A good, straightforward bourbon that is smooth and mild with no surprises in either direction.
Jason,
Fantastic overall for the price
Adam,
Nice floral aroma. Caramel. Nothing special
Dan,
Very smooth and easy to drink. No burn at all
Matthew,
Wonderful, very smooth taste like pecan pie. Best one for the price.
Houston,
Good!
guest,
Very smooth and great every day bourbon and for the money a great value !
Jeff,
Was solid. For a small batch version of bourbon I was hoping it had more of a bite.
Joshua,
Love the smoothness and the minor heat at the end; caramel notes are noticeable and for the price, you really can’t beat it
Dustin,
Great easy drinker. Mild and smooth.
Clint,
Very smooth drinking, but priced too high when compared to others at the same price point.
Steven,
This was a very delightful and drinkable bourbon. I will be buying again. A fantastic go-to. Like velvet on the tongue.
Ryan,
Great everyday whisky
Pat,
Very smooth and tastes great!
Dustin,
Wonderfully smooth and drinkable. Complex but not over powering.
Philip,
Nice Bourbon, lots of compliments from friends
JOSEPH,
Just a nice above average bourbon.
Nathan,
One of my favorite go-to drinks for just relaxing!
Samuel,
Caramel, sweet, slightly bitey bourbon. Good stuff
David,
Solid daily go to for a sip to shut down the evening.
Jonathan,
Very smooth but lots of character.
Jennifer,
Very drinkable - neat. Goes down smooth. A solid bourbon at a very reasonable price.
Dmitriy,
Incredibly complex flavor... Amazing.
Andilee,
Very smooth! Surprisingly great profile for the price.
Dawn,
Love the bottle. And the taste was good. Was one of our samplings cut our Bourbon party.
Dane,
Solid bourbon. Picked up a mixture of red peppers, floral arrangements, and a sweet butterscotch. All together it combined for a smooth pour.
Dirk,
Above average - similar to Woodford Reserve, only smoother. Good to have on the second shelf down. Other Jefferson’s have more to offer the pallet, but a good sip nonetheless.
Troy,
A great value and an excellent bourbon
Jernique,
Spicey and sweet at the end with a smooth finish. I liked it a lot. I taste spicey notes with vanilla and sweetness with Smokiness mixed in.
Dan,
Smooth taste with just enough bit makes this a must try.
Desiree,
Delightful, smooth, a slight bite. A happy surprise for the reasonable price.
Sheila,
This was a 30 year retirement party. The retiree absolutely loved the small batch and the bottle.
Mike,
Decent entry level bourbon.
Scott,
Spice followed by toasty oak. Smooth and enjoyable.
Andrew,
Spicy up front with a smooth Carmel after taste. Had it neat and on the Rocks can't go wrong either way . Very Good quality for the price .
Myke,
Spicy to the point it’s a bit too much for my preference.
Mateusz,
Hands down my favorite. Slightly spicy and silky smooth. Love it!!
Spencer,
Really smooth. One of my favorite bourbons. Has a nice little kick with the finish, but not overpowering.
John,
Very smooth and has a lot of flavor. Highly recommended
Alison,
Smooth and oaky. Great for guests or unwinding.
Michael,
Smooth. Easy drinking.
Edward,
This is a great (maybe too great) sipping whiskey. Nice mix of complexity with vanilla and spice. Very smooth throughout.
Rob,
Smooth and very drinkable. Great finish that is a surprise considering the super light nose.
Matthew,
Super smooth, needs to stand on its own.
Lisa,
Love this! I will definitely be purchasing this again. It is very smooth and needs no ice!
John,
Great for sipping. Smooth.
Wes,
Excellent!
Mark,
Light bourbon with an incredibly smooth finish - discovered in Indy, IN thanks to Mr T.
Karen,
Lovely smooth flavor with notes of cherry. This will definitely have a permanent place in my collection.
Blake,
it was very smooth. bottle seemed to go fast! think that says it all.
Art,
Bought as a GIFT...THEY LOVED THE TASTE
Charles,
Great small batch bourbon. Easy
Joseph,
A little boozey to drink straight. Great with 2 rocks
Aaron,
Smooth, but the alcohol content and flavor could use a boost.
Chris,
Very smooth. Had a very nice flavor to it. Highly recommend you try it.
guest,
Nice bourbon. Nothing jumps out at me as different. Smooth, kind of spicy. Overall very good.
Daniel,
Light, boring. Feels like it's very low proof, tastes like it's watered down heavily
Sean,
Very good. Strong flavor yet pretty smooth overall
guest,
Smooth
guest,
Fantastic bourbon.
Alex,
Overall smooth considering the spice. Spice hits at the back of tounge. Smells of caramel.
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