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Old Forester Statesman vs Woodford Reserve Double Oaked
Comparing Old Forester Statesman and Woodford Reserve Double Oaked is a closer contest than it looks — both are high-rye bourbons, separated mainly by proof (95 vs. 90.4).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester Statesman | 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 | 95 proof (47.5% ABV) +5 proof | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$50 – $55 | ~$50 – $62 |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-10; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Old Forester Statesman
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Woodford Reserve Double Oaked
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester Statesman Woodford Reserve Double Oaked
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 5/9 oak: Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10, Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 9 out of 10
fruit 7/5 fruit: Old Forester Statesman 7 out of 10, Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 5 out of 10
nuttiness 2/3 nuttiness: Old Forester Statesman 2 out of 10, Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 3 out of 10
sweetness 8/8 sweetness: Old Forester Statesman 8 out of 10, Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 8 out of 10
spice 5/5 spice: Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10, Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 5 out of 10
heat 4/4 heat: Old Forester Statesman 4 out of 10, Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- Old Forester Statesman: Old Forester's fruit-forward middle child, first made for a spy movie tie-in. Bright cherry and brown sugar lead, with cocoa and a touch of the house banana note.
- 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 Statesman if you want a bright, cherry-sweet Old Forester that sits between the 100 and 1920 in weight.
- Go with Woodford Reserve Double Oaked if you want an overtly sweet, heavily oaked, dessert-leaning bourbon.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Old Forester Statesman); neat, rocks (Woodford Reserve Double Oaked).