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Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond vs Woodford Reserve Double Oaked
Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond and Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 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 1897 Bottled-in-Bond | 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 | 4 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) +10 proof | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$45 – $55 ~$6 less | ~$50 – $62 |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Woodford Reserve Double Oaked
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond Woodford Reserve Double Oaked
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 7/9 oak: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10, Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 9 out of 10
sweetness 7/8 sweetness: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10, Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 8 out of 10
spice 6/5 spice: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10, Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 5 out of 10
heat 5/4 heat: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 4 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10, Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond: The bonded entry in the Whiskey Row series and a noticeable step up in density from the standard 100. More oak and more weight, though the price gap to the 100 proof is harder to justify than the flavour gap suggests.
- 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 1897 Bottled-in-Bond if you want a bonded, denser take on the Old Forester profile with more barrel behind it 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, old-fashioned (Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond); neat, rocks (Woodford Reserve Double Oaked).