Compare
Old Forester 100 Proof vs Woodford Reserve
Old Forester 100 Proof and Woodford Reserve are cut from similar cloth: two takes on high-rye bourbons, where the real difference is proof (100 vs. 90.4).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 100 Proof | Woodford Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) +10 proof | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$26 – $32 ~$10 less | ~$35 – $42 |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Old Forester 100 Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Woodford Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 100 Proof Woodford Reserve
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Old Forester 100 Proof 7 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10
fruit 5/6 fruit: Old Forester 100 Proof 5 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10
heat 5/4 heat: Old Forester 100 Proof 5 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 4 out of 10
spice 6/6 spice: Old Forester 100 Proof 6 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10
oak 6/6 oak: Old Forester 100 Proof 6 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Old Forester 100 Proof 3 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land close together on every flavor axis — the differences are in texture and proof more than character.
- Old Forester 100 Proof: The bottle most people should buy from this range: the same recipe as the 86 with enough proof to actually taste it. One of the strongest arguments on the shelf for spending six dollars more.
- 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 Forester 100 Proof if you want the best value in the Old Forester range and a superb old-fashioned base.
- 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 (Old Forester 100 Proof); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Woodford Reserve).