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Woodford Reserve Double Oaked vs Old Forester 1870 Original Batch
Woodford Reserve Double Oaked and Old Forester 1870 Original Batch are cut from similar cloth: two takes on high-rye bourbons, where the real difference is price (~$50 – $62 vs. ~$45 – $55).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Woodford Reserve Double Oaked | Old Forester 1870 Original Batch |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) | 90 proof (45% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$50 – $62 | ~$45 – $55 ~$6 less |
- 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.
Old Forester 1870 Original Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Woodford Reserve Double Oaked Old Forester 1870 Original Batch
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 9/5 oak: Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 9 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 5 out of 10
sweetness 8/7 sweetness: Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 8 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 7 out of 10
spice 5/4 spice: Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 5 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 4 out of 10
fruit 5/6 fruit: Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 5 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 6 out of 10
heat 4/3 heat: Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 4 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 3 out of 10
nuttiness 3/2 nuttiness: Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 3 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 2 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.
- Old Forester 1870 Original Batch: The first bottle in Old Forester's Whiskey Row Series, recreating the founder's habit of blending barrels from three warehouses. It is the lightest of the series, caramel sweet and easy.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Woodford Reserve Double Oaked if you want an overtly sweet, heavily oaked, dessert-leaning bourbon.
- Go with Old Forester 1870 Original Batch if you want the gentlest, most easygoing pour in the Whiskey Row Series at a slightly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Woodford Reserve Double Oaked); neat, rocks, highball (Old Forester 1870 Original Batch).