Compare
Woodford Reserve Double Oaked vs Jim Beam Black
Comparing Woodford Reserve Double Oaked and Jim Beam Black is a closer contest than it looks — both are high-rye bourbons, separated mainly by price (~$50 – $62 vs. ~$22 – $28).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Woodford Reserve Double Oaked | Jim Beam Black |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 7 years |
| Proof | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) +4 proof | 86 proof (43% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$50 – $62 | ~$22 – $28 ~$31 less |
- Jim Beam Black 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
Woodford Reserve Double Oaked
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Jim Beam Black
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Woodford Reserve Double Oaked Jim Beam Black
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 9/6 oak: Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 9 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/6 nuttiness: Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 3 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 6 out of 10
sweetness 8/6 sweetness: Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 8 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 6 out of 10
fruit 5/3 fruit: Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 5 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 3 out of 10
spice 5/4 spice: Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 5 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 4 out of 10
heat 4/3 heat: Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 4 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Oak is doing most of the differentiating here.
- 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.
- Jim Beam Black: The extra-aged version of the white label and a considerable step up for a few dollars more. Softer and rounder than Knob Creek with the same family peanut note, at a proof that keeps everything gentle.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Woodford Reserve Double Oaked if you want an overtly sweet, heavily oaked, dessert-leaning bourbon.
- Go with Jim Beam Black if you want the Beam house character at its most affordable and easy-going.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Woodford Reserve Double Oaked); neat, rocks, cocktails (Jim Beam Black).