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Woodford Reserve vs Jack Daniel’s 12 Year
Comparing Woodford Reserve and Jack Daniel’s 12 Year reveals a matchup between a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple and a traditional, even-keeled Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Woodford Reserve | Jack Daniel’s 12 Year |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Tennessee Whiskey |
| Mash Bill | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | 80% corn, 8% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 12 years |
| Proof | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) | 107 proof (53.5% ABV) +17 proof |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$35 – $42 ~$62 less | ~$80 – $120 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- 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.
Jack Daniel’s 12 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Woodford Reserve Jack Daniel’s 12 Year
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 6/8 sweetness: Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10, Jack Daniel’s 12 Year 8 out of 10
oak 6/8 oak: Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10, Jack Daniel’s 12 Year 8 out of 10
heat 4/6 heat: Woodford Reserve 4 out of 10, Jack Daniel’s 12 Year 6 out of 10
spice 6/5 spice: Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10, Jack Daniel’s 12 Year 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Woodford Reserve 3 out of 10, Jack Daniel’s 12 Year 4 out of 10
fruit 6/6 fruit: Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10, Jack Daniel’s 12 Year 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Sweetness is where these two part ways.
- 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.
- Jack Daniel’s 12 Year: Twelve-year Jack Daniel's at 107 proof. Sweet and creamy, with butterscotch, pipe tobacco and seasoned oak.
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 significantly lower price point.
- Go with Jack Daniel’s 12 Year if you want a sweet, creamy, well-aged Jack Daniel's with pipe tobacco and oak with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Woodford Reserve); neat, rocks (Jack Daniel’s 12 Year).