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Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond vs Woodford Reserve
Comparing Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond 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 Bottled-in-Bond | 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 | 4 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) +10 proof | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$16 – $22 ~$20 less | ~$35 – $42 |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Woodford Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond Woodford Reserve
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 4/6 fruit: Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10
spice 5/6 spice: Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10
heat 5/4 heat: Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 4 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 3 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10
oak 6/6 oak: Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Fruit character is what sets these apart.
- Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond: Arguably the best value in all of bourbon: a bonded 100-proof Kentucky whiskey for under twenty dollars. Straightforward vanilla and caramel with just enough oak, and nothing at all to apologise for.
- 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 Bottled-in-Bond if you want a bonded, honest, full-proof Kentucky bourbon for the price of a cocktail.
- Go with Woodford Reserve if you want a polished, widely available crowd-pleaser that never puts a foot wrong.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Woodford Reserve).