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Old Forester 1870 Original Batch vs Woodford Reserve Double Oaked
Old Forester 1870 Original Batch and Woodford Reserve Double Oaked are cut from similar cloth: two takes on high-rye bourbons, where the real difference is price (~$45 – $55 vs. ~$50 – $62).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 1870 Original Batch | Woodford Reserve Double Oaked |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 90 proof (45% ABV) | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$45 – $55 ~$6 less | ~$50 – $62 |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-10; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Old Forester 1870 Original Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Woodford Reserve Double Oaked
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 1870 Original Batch Woodford Reserve Double Oaked
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 5/9 oak: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 5 out of 10, Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 9 out of 10
sweetness 7/8 sweetness: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 7 out of 10, Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 8 out of 10
spice 4/5 spice: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 4 out of 10, Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 5 out of 10
fruit 6/5 fruit: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 6 out of 10, Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 5 out of 10
heat 3/4 heat: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 3 out of 10, Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 4 out of 10
nuttiness 2/3 nuttiness: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 2 out of 10, Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- Old Forester 1870 Original Batch: The first bottle in Old Forester's Whiskey Row Series, recreating the founder's habit of blending barrels from three warehouses. It is the lightest of the series, caramel sweet and easy.
- 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 Old Forester 1870 Original Batch if you want the gentlest, most easygoing pour in the Whiskey Row Series at a slightly lower price point.
- Go with Woodford Reserve Double Oaked if you want an overtly sweet, heavily oaked, dessert-leaning bourbon.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, highball (Old Forester 1870 Original Batch); neat, rocks (Woodford Reserve Double Oaked).