Compare
Four Roses Small Batch Select vs Woodford Reserve Double Oaked
Four Roses Small Batch Select and Woodford Reserve Double Oaked are cut from similar cloth: two takes on high-rye bourbons, where the real difference is proof (104 vs. 90.4).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Four Roses Small Batch Select | Woodford Reserve Double Oaked |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 60% corn, 35% rye, 5% malted barley | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | 6 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 104 proof (52% ABV) +14 proof | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$55 – $65 | ~$50 – $62 |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Four Roses Small Batch Select
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Woodford Reserve Double Oaked
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Four Roses Small Batch Select Woodford Reserve Double Oaked
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 6/9 oak: Four Roses Small Batch Select 6 out of 10, Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 9 out of 10
fruit 8/5 fruit: Four Roses Small Batch Select 8 out of 10, Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 5 out of 10
sweetness 6/8 sweetness: Four Roses Small Batch Select 6 out of 10, Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 8 out of 10
spice 7/5 spice: Four Roses Small Batch Select 7 out of 10, Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 5 out of 10
heat 6/4 heat: Four Roses Small Batch Select 6 out of 10, Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Four Roses Small Batch Select 3 out of 10, Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- Four Roses Small Batch Select: Six recipes, non-chill-filtered, at 104 proof, and the most complete thing Four Roses makes at a normal price. The house fruit character with enough proof and texture to carry it.
- 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 Four Roses Small Batch Select if you want the fullest expression of the Four Roses fruit-forward style without chasing an allocated bottle with more proof behind it.
- Go with Woodford Reserve Double Oaked if you want an overtly sweet, heavily oaked, dessert-leaning bourbon.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Four Roses Small Batch Select); neat, rocks (Woodford Reserve Double Oaked).