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Woodford Reserve vs Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series Wheated Bottled-in-Bond
Put Woodford Reserve next to Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series Wheated Bottled-in-Bond and you have a classic, high-rye stalwart set against a contemporary, high-wheat craft build.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Woodford Reserve | Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series Wheated Bottled-in-Bond |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | 68% corn, 20% wheat, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 6 years |
| Proof | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +10 proof |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$35 – $42 ~$9 less | ~$45 – $50 |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Woodford Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series Wheated Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Woodford Reserve Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series Wheated Bottled-in-Bond
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 6/3 spice: Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series Wheated Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10
oak 6/4 oak: Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series Wheated Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series Wheated Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10
fruit 6/6 fruit: Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series Wheated Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10
heat 4/4 heat: Woodford Reserve 4 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series Wheated Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Woodford Reserve 3 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series Wheated Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Rye spice is the dividing line here.
- Woodford Reserve: The most widely poured premium bourbon in America, and a genuinely well-made one. Dried fruit and cocoa over a balanced 18% rye mash, finished smooth enough to please almost anyone.
- Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series Wheated Bottled-in-Bond: A gentle, bakery-like wheater from Bardstown's own stills. Fresh bread and cream on the nose turn into baked peach and vanilla, with a soft, creamy texture and only a light pepper bite.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Woodford Reserve if you want a polished, widely available crowd-pleaser that never puts a foot wrong at a slightly lower price point.
- Go with Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series Wheated Bottled-in-Bond if you want a soft, creamy, bakery-sweet wheater with bonded credentials with slightly more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Woodford Reserve); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series Wheated Bottled-in-Bond).