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Woodford Reserve vs Jim Beam Black
Woodford Reserve and Jim Beam Black are cut from similar cloth: two takes on high-rye bourbons, where the real difference is price (~$35 – $42 vs. ~$22 – $28).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Woodford Reserve | Jim Beam Black |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 7 years |
| Proof | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) +4 proof | 86 proof (43% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$35 – $42 | ~$22 – $28 ~$14 less |
- Jim Beam Black does not publish an official mash bill.
- 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.
Jim Beam Black
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Woodford Reserve Jim Beam Black
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 6/3 fruit: Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 3 out of 10
nuttiness 3/6 nuttiness: Woodford Reserve 3 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 6 out of 10
spice 6/4 spice: Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 4 out of 10
heat 4/3 heat: Woodford Reserve 4 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 3 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 6 out of 10
oak 6/6 oak: Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 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.
- Jim Beam Black: The extra-aged version of the white label and a considerable step up for a few dollars more. Softer and rounder than Knob Creek with the same family peanut note, at a proof that keeps everything gentle.
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 Jim Beam Black if you want the Beam house character at its most affordable and easy-going.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Woodford Reserve); neat, rocks, cocktails (Jim Beam Black).