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Ancient Age vs Woodford Reserve Double Oaked
On paper Ancient Age and Woodford Reserve Double Oaked are near neighbours — both high-rye bourbons — so price (~$14 – $18 vs. ~$50 – $62) is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Ancient Age | Woodford Reserve Double Oaked |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 15% rye, 10% malted barley | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) +10 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$14 – $18 ~$40 less | ~$50 – $62 |
- Ancient Age does 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
Ancient Age
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Woodford Reserve Double Oaked
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Ancient Age Woodford Reserve Double Oaked
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 3/9 oak: Ancient Age 3 out of 10, Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 9 out of 10
sweetness 5/8 sweetness: Ancient Age 5 out of 10, Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 8 out of 10
heat 2/4 heat: Ancient Age 2 out of 10, Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 4 out of 10
spice 4/5 spice: Ancient Age 4 out of 10, Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 5 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: Ancient Age 4 out of 10, Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 5 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Ancient Age 4 out of 10, Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Oak is doing most of the differentiating here.
- Ancient Age: The bottom rung of the Buffalo Trace ladder and priced accordingly. Thin and simple at 80 proof, but it is recognisably the Mash Bill #2 recipe and it does its job in a highball without complaint.
- Woodford Reserve Double Oaked: A second barrel, deeply toasted, and the result is unashamedly dessert-like. Maple and caramelised sugar with heavy wood — polarising if you want restraint, excellent if you want sweetness.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Ancient Age if you want the cheapest honest mixer in the lineup and you are not drinking it neat.
- Go with Woodford Reserve Double Oaked if you want an overtly sweet, heavily oaked, dessert-leaning bourbon with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed cocktails, highball (Ancient Age); neat, rocks (Woodford Reserve Double Oaked).