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Woodford Reserve vs Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond
Comparing Woodford Reserve and Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond reveals a matchup between a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple and a traditional, wheated Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Woodford Reserve | Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | 68% corn, 20% wheat, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 9 years |
| Proof | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +10 proof |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$35 – $42 ~$107 less | ~$110 – $180 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Allocated |
- 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.
Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Woodford Reserve Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 6/2 spice: Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 2 out of 10
sweetness 6/8 sweetness: Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 8 out of 10
oak 6/7 oak: Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10
fruit 6/6 fruit: Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10
heat 4/4 heat: Woodford Reserve 4 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Woodford Reserve 3 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 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.
- Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond: The decanter series, released twice a year at varying ages, and Heaven Hill's most serious wheated statement. Age shows as polished oak and stewed fruit rather than tannin, but you pay handsomely for the bottle.
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 Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond if you want an aged, bonded wheater in a presentation bottle and the price is not the obstacle with slightly more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Woodford Reserve); neat (Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond).