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Woodford Reserve vs Four Roses Small Batch
On paper Woodford Reserve and Four Roses Small Batch are near neighbours — both high-rye bourbons — so personal preference more than spec is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Woodford Reserve | Four Roses Small Batch |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | 75% corn, 20% rye, 5% 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 | ~$32 – $38 |
- 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 Small Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Woodford Reserve Four Roses Small Batch
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 6/5 oak: Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch 5 out of 10
fruit 6/7 fruit: Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch 7 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch 6 out of 10
spice 6/6 spice: Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch 6 out of 10
heat 4/4 heat: Woodford Reserve 4 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Woodford Reserve 3 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch 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.
- Four Roses Small Batch: Four Roses' yeast strains push this toward fruit and florals rather than wood. Red berry and cinnamon over a light body, with the rye showing up as brightness instead of 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.
- Go with Four Roses Small Batch if you want a fruit-and-floral profile that stands apart from the usual caramel-and-oak template.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Woodford Reserve); neat, rocks, cocktails (Four Roses Small Batch).