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Jack Daniel’s 12 Year vs Woodford Reserve
Comparing Jack Daniel’s 12 Year and Woodford Reserve reveals a matchup between a traditional, even-keeled Kentucky staple and a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Jack Daniel’s 12 Year | Woodford Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Tennessee Whiskey | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 80% corn, 8% rye, 12% malted barley | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | 12 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 107 proof (53.5% ABV) +17 proof | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$80 – $120 | ~$35 – $42 ~$62 less |
| Availability | Limited | Widely available easier to find |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-10; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Jack Daniel’s 12 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Woodford Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Jack Daniel’s 12 Year Woodford Reserve
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 8/6 sweetness: Jack Daniel’s 12 Year 8 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10
oak 8/6 oak: Jack Daniel’s 12 Year 8 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10
heat 6/4 heat: Jack Daniel’s 12 Year 6 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 4 out of 10
spice 5/6 spice: Jack Daniel’s 12 Year 5 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Jack Daniel’s 12 Year 4 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 3 out of 10
fruit 6/6 fruit: Jack Daniel’s 12 Year 6 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Sweetness is where these two part ways.
- Jack Daniel’s 12 Year: Twelve-year Jack Daniel's at 107 proof. Sweet and creamy, with butterscotch, pipe tobacco and seasoned oak.
- 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 Jack Daniel’s 12 Year if you want a sweet, creamy, well-aged Jack Daniel's with pipe tobacco and oak with more proof behind it.
- Go with Woodford Reserve if you want a polished, widely available crowd-pleaser that never puts a foot wrong at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Jack Daniel’s 12 Year); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Woodford Reserve).