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Woodford Reserve vs Bulleit Bourbon
Comparing Woodford Reserve and Bulleit Bourbon is a closer contest than it looks — both are high-rye bourbons, separated mainly by price (~$35 – $42 vs. ~$25 – $32).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Woodford Reserve | Bulleit Bourbon |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | 68% corn, 28% rye, 4% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) | 90 proof (45% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$35 – $42 | ~$25 – $32 ~$10 less |
- 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.
Bulleit Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Woodford Reserve Bulleit Bourbon
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 6/5 sweetness: Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10, Bulleit Bourbon 5 out of 10
spice 6/7 spice: Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10, Bulleit Bourbon 7 out of 10
oak 6/5 oak: Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10, Bulleit Bourbon 5 out of 10
fruit 6/5 fruit: Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10, Bulleit Bourbon 5 out of 10
heat 4/4 heat: Woodford Reserve 4 out of 10, Bulleit Bourbon 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Woodford Reserve 3 out of 10, Bulleit Bourbon 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land close together on every flavor axis — the differences are in texture and proof more than character.
- 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.
- Bulleit Bourbon: The bottle that put high-rye bourbon in every cocktail bar in the country. Peppery and dry with the familiar MGP dill note, and it earns its place behind the bar more than in a glass on its own.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Woodford Reserve if you want a polished, widely available crowd-pleaser that never puts a foot wrong.
- Go with Bulleit Bourbon if you want a dry, peppery, high-rye bourbon built for cocktails and available absolutely everywhere at a slightly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Woodford Reserve); old-fashioned, cocktails, highball (Bulleit Bourbon).