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Woodford Reserve Double Oaked vs Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
Woodford Reserve Double Oaked and Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond are cut from similar cloth: two takes on high-rye bourbons, where the real difference is proof (90.4 vs. 100).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Woodford Reserve Double Oaked | Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 4 years |
| Proof | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +10 proof |
| 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 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Woodford Reserve Double Oaked Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 9/7 oak: Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 9 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10
sweetness 8/7 sweetness: Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 8 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10
spice 5/6 spice: Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 5 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10
heat 4/5 heat: Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 4 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 5 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 3 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 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.
- Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond: The bonded entry in the Whiskey Row series and a noticeable step up in density from the standard 100. More oak and more weight, though the price gap to the 100 proof is harder to justify than the flavour gap suggests.
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 1897 Bottled-in-Bond if you want a bonded, denser take on the Old Forester profile with more barrel behind it at a slightly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Woodford Reserve Double Oaked); neat, old-fashioned (Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond).