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Woodford Reserve’s four core expressions each deliver a distinct flavor profile and production style, offering something for every palate. This guide breaks down their key differences so you can choose the perfect bottle. |
Woodford Reserve is known for crafting some of the most balanced, approachable, and well-structured whiskeys on the market. But if you’re new to the brand, or even if you’ve enjoyed their bottles for years, the differences between their core four expressions aren’t always obvious at first glance.
This guide breaks down what sets each one apart: mash bill, flavor profile, proof, and what makes each expression worth reaching for.
The flagship. The foundation. The classic.
This is the bottle most drinkers know first — a well-balanced, easy-drinking Kentucky bourbon built on a sweeter, fruit-forward profile.
Key Details
Type: Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Proof: 90.4
Mash Bill: Corn-forward with rye and malted barley
Flavor Notes: Dried fruit, vanilla, caramel, baking spice, and a hint of citrus
Why It’s Unique: Woodford’s triple-distillation and copper pot still influence give this bourbon a softer, rounded profile compared to many competitors.
Best For: Old Fashioneds, sipping neat, highballs, and introducing friends to bourbon.
Whiskey Wednesday | October 8, 2025
More from Woodford Reserve: Woodford Reserve Sweet Oak Bourbon, 2025 Master's Collection Release
Richer. Deeper. Dessert in a glass.
Double Oaked takes the original bourbon and finishes it in a second, heavily toasted and lightly charred barrel, transforming the flavor into something darker and richer.
Key Details
Type: Double-barrel finished bourbon
Proof: 90.4
Process: Finished in a new barrel that has been deeply toasted and lightly charred
Flavor Notes: Chocolate, toasted marshmallow, baking spice, caramelized sugar
Why It’s Unique: That second barrel creates intense sweetness and dessert-like flavors, making Double Oaked one of the most recognizable bottles in Woodford’s lineup.
Best For: Dessert pairings, sipping neat, old fashioneds with a heavier oak profile.
Spice-forward with Woodford’s signature smoothness.
Woodford’s rye isn’t the overly aggressive, pepper-packed rye whiskey that many drinkers expect. Instead, it carries Woodford’s signature balance with a softer, rounded spice profile.
Key Details
Type: Kentucky Straight Rye
Proof: 90.4
Mash Bill: 53% rye (lower than many classic ryes)
Flavor Notes: Baking spice, dried fruit, mint, honey, toasted oak
Why It’s Unique: The lower-rye mash delivers a more approachable entry point into rye whiskey — ideal for bourbon drinkers who want to explore rye without jumping into the deep end.
Best For: Manhattans, Sazeracs, highball variations, sipping for bourbon-leaning rye fans.
Soft, gentle, rounded. A completely different side of Woodford.
Wheat whiskey showcases what happens when wheat becomes the star grain. The result is a softer, silkier whiskey with subtle, elegant sweetness.
Key Details
Type: Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey
Proof: 90.4
Mash Bill: Wheat-dominant
Flavor Notes: Honey, apple, vanilla, light oak, floral notes
Why It’s Unique: This is Woodford’s most delicate expression — perfect for drinkers who prefer smooth, lightly sweet whiskey without heavy spice or oak.
Best For: Summer sipping, lighter cocktails, whiskey drinkers who prefer a gentle profile.
If you’re deciding which bottle fits your taste, here’s the quick breakdown:
Exploring the differences between Woodford’s core four is just the beginning. Inside the Whiskey Social App, you can dive even deeper: track your tastings, explore user reviews, compare bottles side-by-side, and see how each expression ranks within the community.
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