Jefferson’s, like a whole lot of other Bourbon bottlers, (talking about you High West) buy the distilled white dog product from a distillery. They then age it, blend it, etc, so the end product is different than another bottler who bought the same juice. We have reviewed their Very Small Batch, which we were not very kind to, and their Chef’s Collaboration, which we really liked. Today were are sampling Jefferson’s Reserve, Very Old, Very Small Batch, Straight Bourbon Whiskey.
Jefferson’s Reserve is a blend of 4 Bourbons, comes bottled at 90.2 proof in a corked elegant looking bottle. Pretty easy to find and sells for around $45 for 750ml. Though it says Very Old on the label, we couldn’t actually nail down how old it really is. It seems they took a 15 year old Bourbon and then blended it with 3 others. We could not determine the age on those other Bourbons.
Side note, when Trey Zoeller, one of the founders, was asked about the name he replied “I had no marketing budget. I simply wanted a recognizable face associated with history and tradition.”
NOSE
Ron: Wow! A big mellow nose with delightful aromas with no alcohol smell. Oak, leather, brown sugar, fruit, molasses, and grain are the first scents to arise. These are followed by honey and a slight bit of caramel. When I added ice I got a citrus aroma.
Todd. First thought? Nice. This has a smooth almost lively aroma with fruit, leather and cocoa dominating. Secondary scents were cedar, vanilla and citrus. With a bit of a melted cube I picked up a very strong smell of caramel.
Ron: Lively?
TASTE
Ron: Nice, nice, nice! A sweet mellow taste with most of the stuff I got on the nose. Molasses, leather, oak and fruit lead the way. Right behind came citrus and honey with slight tastes of tobacco and caramel rounding it all out.
Todd: Sweet tastes of leather and and tobacco upfront. This is followed by slight tastes of citrus, cedar, and barley. Very good.
FINISH
Ron: Medium long to long and getting the molasses running through all 3 categories.
Todd: Long and spicy with a hint of vanilla.
OVERALL
Ron: Great brown water!
Todd: Very good bottle even thought I was a little disappointed in the taste after that great nose.
Nose 4.5 out of 5
Taste 8.25 out of 10
Finish 4.5 out of 5
Total score 17.25 out of 20 Barrels.
Jefferson’s Reserve is a very good Bourbon and should be a staple in your cabinet. The price, since being a little on the high side, probably doesn’t make this your everyday go to Bourbon. But for a special pour with a special friend, Jefferson’s Reserve does quite nicely.