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Woodford Reserve Double Oaked vs Four Roses Small Batch Select
Woodford Reserve Double Oaked and Four Roses Small Batch Select are cut from similar cloth: two takes on high-rye bourbons, where the real difference is proof (90.4 vs. 104).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Woodford Reserve Double Oaked | Four Roses Small Batch Select |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | 60% corn, 35% rye, 5% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 6 years |
| Proof | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) | 104 proof (52% ABV) +14 proof |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$50 – $62 | ~$55 – $65 |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Woodford Reserve Double Oaked
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Four Roses Small Batch Select
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Woodford Reserve Double Oaked Four Roses Small Batch Select
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 9/6 oak: Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 9 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch Select 6 out of 10
fruit 5/8 fruit: Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 5 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch Select 8 out of 10
sweetness 8/6 sweetness: Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 8 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch Select 6 out of 10
spice 5/7 spice: Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 5 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch Select 7 out of 10
heat 4/6 heat: Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 4 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch Select 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 3 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch Select 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- 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.
- Four Roses Small Batch Select: Six recipes, non-chill-filtered, at 104 proof, and the most complete thing Four Roses makes at a normal price. The house fruit character with enough proof and texture to carry it.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Woodford Reserve Double Oaked if you want an overtly sweet, heavily oaked, dessert-leaning bourbon.
- Go with Four Roses Small Batch Select if you want the fullest expression of the Four Roses fruit-forward style without chasing an allocated bottle with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Woodford Reserve Double Oaked); neat, rocks (Four Roses Small Batch Select).