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Evan Williams Black Label vs Woodford Reserve
Comparing Evan Williams Black Label and Woodford Reserve reveals a matchup between a traditional, even-keeled Kentucky staple and a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Evan Williams Black Label | Woodford Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 86 proof (43% ABV) | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) +4 proof |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$14 – $18 ~$23 less | ~$35 – $42 |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Evan Williams Black Label
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Woodford Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Evan Williams Black Label Woodford Reserve
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 4/6 spice: Evan Williams Black Label 4 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10
fruit 4/6 fruit: Evan Williams Black Label 4 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10
oak 5/6 oak: Evan Williams Black Label 5 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10
heat 3/4 heat: Evan Williams Black Label 3 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 4 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Evan Williams Black Label 4 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 3 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Evan Williams Black Label 6 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Rye spice is the dividing line here.
- Evan Williams Black Label: The everyday black label, and a perfectly competent well bourbon. Softer and sweeter than the bonded version, with less to say but nothing objectionable.
- 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 Evan Williams Black Label if you want a dependable, inexpensive mixing bourbon and nothing more complicated than that at a lower price point.
- Go with Woodford Reserve if you want a polished, widely available crowd-pleaser that never puts a foot wrong.
Best enjoyed cocktails, highball, rocks (Evan Williams Black Label); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Woodford Reserve).