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Woodford Reserve Double Oaked vs Old Forester Statesman
Comparing Woodford Reserve Double Oaked and Old Forester Statesman is a closer contest than it looks — both are high-rye bourbons, separated mainly by proof (90.4 vs. 95).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Woodford Reserve Double Oaked | Old Forester Statesman |
|---|---|---|
| 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) | 95 proof (47.5% ABV) +5 proof |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$50 – $62 | ~$50 – $55 |
- 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 Statesman
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Woodford Reserve Double Oaked Old Forester Statesman
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 9/5 oak: Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 9 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10
fruit 5/7 fruit: Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 5 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 7 out of 10
nuttiness 3/2 nuttiness: Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 3 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 2 out of 10
sweetness 8/8 sweetness: Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 8 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 8 out of 10
spice 5/5 spice: Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 5 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10
heat 4/4 heat: Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 4 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 4 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 Statesman: Old Forester's fruit-forward middle child, first made for a spy movie tie-in. Bright cherry and brown sugar lead, with cocoa and a touch of the house banana note.
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 Statesman if you want a bright, cherry-sweet Old Forester that sits between the 100 and 1920 in weight.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Woodford Reserve Double Oaked); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Old Forester Statesman).