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Jim Beam Black vs Woodford Reserve
Jim Beam Black and Woodford Reserve are cut from similar cloth: two takes on high-rye bourbons, where the real difference is price (~$22 – $28 vs. ~$35 – $42).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Jim Beam Black | Woodford Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | 7 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 86 proof (43% ABV) | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) +4 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$22 – $28 ~$14 less | ~$35 – $42 |
- Jim Beam Black does not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Jim Beam Black
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Woodford Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Jim Beam Black Woodford Reserve
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 3/6 fruit: Jim Beam Black 3 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10
nuttiness 6/3 nuttiness: Jim Beam Black 6 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 3 out of 10
spice 4/6 spice: Jim Beam Black 4 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10
heat 3/4 heat: Jim Beam Black 3 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 4 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Jim Beam Black 6 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10
oak 6/6 oak: Jim Beam Black 6 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Fruit character is what sets these apart.
- Jim Beam Black: The extra-aged version of the white label and a considerable step up for a few dollars more. Softer and rounder than Knob Creek with the same family peanut note, at a proof that keeps everything gentle.
- 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 Jim Beam Black if you want the Beam house character at its most affordable and easy-going.
- Go with Woodford Reserve if you want a polished, widely available crowd-pleaser that never puts a foot wrong.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, cocktails (Jim Beam Black); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Woodford Reserve).