Jefferson's Reserve 8 Year Old Bourbon Whiskey
Jefferson's Reserve 8 Year Old Bourbon Whiskey is the relaunched flagship of the Jefferson's range: a Kentucky straight bourbon aged a minimum of 8 years in American oak and bottled at 96 proof (48% ABV), in a 750mL bottle. The September 2026 relaunch gave Reserve its first age statement and a higher proof than the previous bottling, for a richer, more complex pour built from hand-selected mature barrels.
- Origin: Kentucky
- Age: Minimum 8 years in American oak
- ABV: 48% (96 proof)
- Style: Blended Kentucky straight bourbon whiskeys
- Size: 750mL
The Story
Jefferson's was founded in 1997 by Trey Zoeller on a blending-first philosophy — marry mature straight bourbons for depth no single barrel gives on its own. For the Reserve relaunch, master blender Ale Ochoa went back through the house's older, more mature barrels and crafted the blend with intention: “dark fruit and vanilla custard upfront, then baking spice, oak and toasted almond carrying through to a long, spicy finish.” It pours a clear step above the Jefferson's Very Small Batch Bourbon Whiskey, and alongside the experimental Jefferson's Reserve Twin Oak Custom Barrel Bourbon Whiskey in the range.
Tasting Notes
The nose opens on dark fruit, vanilla and green apple. The palate is substantial — oak, toasted almonds and toffee with vanilla custard and baking spice — finishing bold, spicy and rich, with the long stay the extra years and 96 proof deliver.
How to Enjoy
Neat or with a splash of water it is a quintessential sipping bourbon; at 96 proof it also stands up in a Manhattan or an Old Fashioned — the Jefferson's Old Fashioned Cocktail Kit builds on its younger sibling. Browse the wider Jefferson's collection for the Ocean and cask-finish expressions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What changed in the Jefferson's Reserve relaunch?
The September 2026 relaunch added an 8-year age statement and raised the proof from 90.2 to 96 (48% ABV), with redesigned packaging across the Jefferson's core range. Every barrel in the blend is aged a minimum of eight years.
How is Reserve different from Very Small Batch?
Reserve is the older, higher-proof flagship — a minimum of 8 years at 96 proof, blended for richness and complexity. Very Small Batch is the younger, softer everyday pour.
What awards has the new Reserve won?
Double Gold at the New York International Spirits Competition (2026), Double Gold at the John Barleycorn Awards (2025) and Gold at the Ascot Awards (2026).
Order Jefferson's Reserve 8 Year Old Bourbon Whiskey online at Del Mesa Liquor — available to order with fast, secure shipping.
