Big-ish things are happening over at Jefferson’s. The entire lineup has gotten a glow-up with bolder packaging featuring larger typeface. I never minded squinting to read my Jefferson’s labels, but I guess we bourbon drinkers are all getting older by the day. There’s also been some streamlining of offerings, with both the flagship rye and bourbon now falling under the Very Small Batch label. The biggest changeup, however, goes to fan favorite Jefferson’s Reserve, which now carries an 8-year age statement and a not insignificant uptick in proof.
The former Jefferson’s Reserve sported a small print subtitle “Very Old Very Small Batch,” but it was always somewhat unclear what they meant by “very old” with some sources mentioning 8- to 20-year-old bourbons in the blend. When the limited-edition Cask Strength expression of Jefferson’s Reserve arrived last year, it boasted an 8-year age statement, as well, so perhaps they are leaving the older stock out of the mix altogether now. Let’s see if we can taste any difference.
Jefferson’s Reserve 8 Years Old Review
The nose is perhaps fresher than the original with less oak and more sweet grain. That’s not to say it comes across younger. It wears its minimum eight years well, but the highlights are certainly less oak driven and more focused on the corn with top notes of warm cornbread muffins and caramel corn fresh out of the pan. Vanilla bean blooms with time in the glass and a bit of damp oak and baked apple finds its way into the bouquet eventually, but those sweet, corn notes never let up.
The palate is similarly single minded at first with an initial rush of buttery candy corn underpinned by lush notes of pecan pralines and dark caramel. It’s light but mouth-coating with a richness that builds across the sip. The grain gives way to citrus on the midpalate, but things stay candy sweet with sugared orange peel that evolves to orange creamsicle in short order. The sweetness almost overwhelms before a generous nuttiness tempers things slightly with notes of creamy peanut butter fudge and butter brickle ice cream. It’s all a bit decadent but comes together with finesse on the finish, delivering a warm fadeout of toffee, corn pudding, and honey roasted peanuts. Its impressive approachability may be the only thing that resembles the Jefferson’s Reserve of old, but I’m not complaining.
96 proof.
A- / $50 [BUY IT NOW FROM FROOTBAT]
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