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Woodford Reserve vs Old Forester 1870 Original Batch
Woodford Reserve and Old Forester 1870 Original Batch are cut from similar cloth: two takes on high-rye bourbons, where the real difference is price (~$35 – $42 vs. ~$45 – $55).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Woodford Reserve | Old Forester 1870 Original Batch |
|---|---|---|
| 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) | 90 proof (45% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$35 – $42 ~$12 less | ~$45 – $55 |
- 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 1870 Original Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Woodford Reserve Old Forester 1870 Original Batch
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 6/4 spice: Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 4 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 7 out of 10
oak 6/5 oak: Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 5 out of 10
heat 4/3 heat: Woodford Reserve 4 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 3 out of 10
nuttiness 3/2 nuttiness: Woodford Reserve 3 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 2 out of 10
fruit 6/6 fruit: Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 6 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 Forester 1870 Original Batch: The first bottle in Old Forester's Whiskey Row Series, recreating the founder's habit of blending barrels from three warehouses. It is the lightest of the series, caramel sweet and easy.
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 slightly lower price point.
- Go with Old Forester 1870 Original Batch if you want the gentlest, most easygoing pour in the Whiskey Row Series.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Woodford Reserve); neat, rocks, highball (Old Forester 1870 Original Batch).