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Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond vs Woodford Reserve
Comparing Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond and Woodford Reserve reveals a matchup between a traditional, even-keeled Kentucky staple and a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond | Woodford Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 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 2 | ~$16 – $22 ~$20 less | ~$35 – $42 |
- Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond does not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Woodford Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond Woodford Reserve
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 4/6 fruit: Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10
spice 5/6 spice: Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10
oak 5/6 oak: Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10
heat 5/4 heat: Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 4 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 3 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Fruit character is what sets these apart.
- Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond: A bonded 100-proof bourbon at a price that barely seems possible, though distribution is patchy outside Kentucky. Unremarkable in the best way: it does everything a bourbon should and nothing extra.
- 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 Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond if you want a bonded Kentucky bourbon for under twenty dollars, if you can find it in your state with slightly more proof behind it.
- 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 (Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Woodford Reserve).