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Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond vs Woodford Reserve
Comparing Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond and Woodford Reserve reveals a matchup between a traditional, wheated Kentucky staple and a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond | Woodford Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 68% corn, 20% wheat, 12% malted barley | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | 9 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) +10 proof | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$110 – $180 | ~$35 – $42 ~$107 less |
| Availability | Allocated | Widely available easier to find |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Woodford Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond Woodford Reserve
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 2/6 spice: Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 2 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10
sweetness 8/6 sweetness: Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 8 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10
oak 7/6 oak: Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10
fruit 6/6 fruit: Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10
heat 4/4 heat: Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Rye spice is the dividing line here.
- Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond: The decanter series, released twice a year at varying ages, and Heaven Hill's most serious wheated statement. Age shows as polished oak and stewed fruit rather than tannin, but you pay handsomely for the bottle.
- 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 Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond if you want an aged, bonded wheater in a presentation bottle and the price is not the obstacle with slightly 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 (Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Woodford Reserve).