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Bulleit Bourbon vs Woodford Reserve
Comparing Bulleit Bourbon and Woodford Reserve is a closer contest than it looks — both are high-rye bourbons, separated mainly by price (~$25 – $32 vs. ~$35 – $42).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Bulleit Bourbon | Woodford Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 68% corn, 28% rye, 4% malted barley | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$25 – $32 ~$10 less | ~$35 – $42 |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Bulleit Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Woodford Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Bulleit Bourbon Woodford Reserve
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 5/6 sweetness: Bulleit Bourbon 5 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10
spice 7/6 spice: Bulleit Bourbon 7 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10
oak 5/6 oak: Bulleit Bourbon 5 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10
fruit 5/6 fruit: Bulleit Bourbon 5 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10
heat 4/4 heat: Bulleit Bourbon 4 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Bulleit Bourbon 3 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land close together on every flavor axis — the differences are in texture and proof more than character.
- Bulleit Bourbon: The bottle that put high-rye bourbon in every cocktail bar in the country. Peppery and dry with the familiar MGP dill note, and it earns its place behind the bar more than in a glass on its own.
- Woodford Reserve: The most widely poured premium bourbon in America, and a genuinely well-made one. Dried fruit and cocoa over a balanced 18% rye mash, finished smooth enough to please almost anyone.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Bulleit Bourbon if you want a dry, peppery, high-rye bourbon built for cocktails and available absolutely everywhere at a slightly lower price point.
- Go with Woodford Reserve if you want a polished, widely available crowd-pleaser that never puts a foot wrong.
Best enjoyed old-fashioned, cocktails, highball (Bulleit Bourbon); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Woodford Reserve).