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Redemption Bourbon vs Woodford Reserve
Comparing Redemption Bourbon and Woodford Reserve is a closer contest than it looks — both are high-rye bourbons, separated mainly by proof (84 vs. 90.4).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Redemption Bourbon | Woodford Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 84 proof (42% ABV) | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) +6 proof |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$25 – $32 ~$10 less | ~$35 – $42 |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Redemption Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Woodford Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Redemption Bourbon Woodford Reserve
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 4/6 oak: Redemption Bourbon 4 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10
sweetness 5/6 sweetness: Redemption Bourbon 5 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10
spice 7/6 spice: Redemption Bourbon 7 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10
fruit 5/6 fruit: Redemption Bourbon 5 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10
heat 3/4 heat: Redemption Bourbon 3 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Redemption Bourbon 3 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Oak is doing most of the differentiating here.
- Redemption Bourbon: Straightforward sourced MGP at a modest proof, and about as clear a reference sample of the high-rye MGP profile as you can buy. Thin neat, but a reliable and inexpensive cocktail base.
- 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 Redemption Bourbon if you want an inexpensive, unambiguous example of the MGP high-rye style for mixing at a slightly lower price point.
- Go with Woodford Reserve if you want a polished, widely available crowd-pleaser that never puts a foot wrong with slightly more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed old-fashioned, cocktails, highball (Redemption Bourbon); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Woodford Reserve).