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Woodford Reserve vs Old Forester 100 Proof
Woodford Reserve and Old Forester 100 Proof 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 | Old Forester 100 Proof |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% 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 | ~$26 – $32 ~$10 less |
- 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 Forester 100 Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Woodford Reserve Old Forester 100 Proof
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 7 out of 10
fruit 6/5 fruit: Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 5 out of 10
heat 4/5 heat: Woodford Reserve 4 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 5 out of 10
spice 6/6 spice: Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 6 out of 10
oak 6/6 oak: Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Woodford Reserve 3 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 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.
- Old Forester 100 Proof: The bottle most people should buy from this range: the same recipe as the 86 with enough proof to actually taste it. One of the strongest arguments on the shelf for spending six dollars more.
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 Old Forester 100 Proof if you want the best value in the Old Forester range and a superb old-fashioned base.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Woodford Reserve); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Old Forester 100 Proof).