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Woodford Reserve vs Four Roses Single Barrel
Woodford Reserve and Four Roses Single Barrel are cut from similar cloth: two takes on high-rye bourbons, where the real difference is proof (90.4 vs. 100).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Woodford Reserve | Four Roses Single Barrel |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | 60% corn, 35% rye, 5% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +10 proof |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$35 – $42 ~$12 less | ~$45 – $55 |
- 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.
Four Roses Single Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Woodford Reserve Four Roses Single Barrel
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 6/8 spice: Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10, Four Roses Single Barrel 8 out of 10
heat 4/6 heat: Woodford Reserve 4 out of 10, Four Roses Single Barrel 6 out of 10
fruit 6/7 fruit: Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10, Four Roses Single Barrel 7 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10, Four Roses Single Barrel 6 out of 10
oak 6/6 oak: Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10, Four Roses Single Barrel 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Woodford Reserve 3 out of 10, Four Roses Single Barrel 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.
- Four Roses Single Barrel: The OBSV recipe on its own at 100 proof — the highest-rye mash Four Roses uses, paired with their most floral yeast. Cherry and clove in equal measure, and a genuinely distinctive glass.
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 Four Roses Single Barrel if you want the most expressive, spice-and-fruit-forward single recipe in the Four Roses range with slightly more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Woodford Reserve); neat, old-fashioned (Four Roses Single Barrel).