Compare
Woodford Reserve vs Evan Williams Black Label
Comparing Woodford Reserve and Evan Williams Black Label reveals a matchup between a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple and a traditional, even-keeled Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Woodford Reserve | Evan Williams Black Label |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) +4 proof | 86 proof (43% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$35 – $42 | ~$14 – $18 ~$23 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.
Evan Williams Black Label
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Woodford Reserve Evan Williams Black Label
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 6/4 spice: Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10, Evan Williams Black Label 4 out of 10
fruit 6/4 fruit: Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10, Evan Williams Black Label 4 out of 10
oak 6/5 oak: Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10, Evan Williams Black Label 5 out of 10
heat 4/3 heat: Woodford Reserve 4 out of 10, Evan Williams Black Label 3 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Woodford Reserve 3 out of 10, Evan Williams Black Label 4 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10, Evan Williams Black Label 6 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.
- Evan Williams Black Label: The everyday black label, and a perfectly competent well bourbon. Softer and sweeter than the bonded version, with less to say but nothing objectionable.
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 Evan Williams Black Label if you want a dependable, inexpensive mixing bourbon and nothing more complicated than that at a lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Woodford Reserve); cocktails, highball, rocks (Evan Williams Black Label).