Compare
Willett Pot Still Reserve vs Woodford Reserve
Put Willett Pot Still Reserve next to Woodford Reserve and you have a contemporary, corn-forward craft build set against a classic, high-rye stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Willett Pot Still Reserve | Woodford Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 94 proof (47% ABV) +4 proof | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$45 – $60 | ~$35 – $42 ~$14 less |
- Willett Pot Still Reserve 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
Willett Pot Still Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Woodford Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Willett Pot Still Reserve Woodford Reserve
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Willett Pot Still Reserve 7 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10
spice 5/6 spice: Willett Pot Still Reserve 5 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Willett Pot Still Reserve 4 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 3 out of 10
oak 6/6 oak: Willett Pot Still Reserve 6 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10
fruit 6/6 fruit: Willett Pot Still Reserve 6 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10
heat 4/4 heat: Willett Pot Still Reserve 4 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land close together on every flavor axis — the differences are in texture and proof more than character.
- Willett Pot Still Reserve: Famous first for the pot-still-shaped decanter and second for the whiskey, which is a fair ordering. Pleasant, sweet and fruit-leaning, with a good deal of the price attached to the glass.
- 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 Willett Pot Still Reserve if you want a distinctive bottle on the shelf and an easy, fruit-forward pour inside it.
- Go with Woodford Reserve if you want a polished, widely available crowd-pleaser that never puts a foot wrong at a lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Willett Pot Still Reserve); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Woodford Reserve).