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Woodford Reserve vs Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond
Comparing Woodford Reserve and Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond reveals a matchup between a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple and a traditional, even-keeled Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Woodford Reserve | Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 4 years |
| Proof | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +10 proof |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$35 – $42 | ~$16 – $22 ~$20 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 Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Woodford Reserve Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 6/4 fruit: Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10, Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10
spice 6/5 spice: Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10, Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
heat 4/5 heat: Woodford Reserve 4 out of 10, Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Woodford Reserve 3 out of 10, Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10, Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10
oak 6/6 oak: Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10, Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Fruit character is what sets these apart.
- 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 Bottled-in-Bond: Arguably the best value in all of bourbon: a bonded 100-proof Kentucky whiskey for under twenty dollars. Straightforward vanilla and caramel with just enough oak, and nothing at all to apologise for.
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 Bottled-in-Bond if you want a bonded, honest, full-proof Kentucky bourbon for the price of a cocktail.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Woodford Reserve); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond).