Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon vs Blanton's Single Barrel Bourbon

Buy Woodford Reserve for a dependable everyday bourbon and for mixing cocktails; it is consistent bottle to bottle, widely available, and its 90.4 proof keeps the oak and dried-fruit sweetness balanced. Buy Blanton's if you want a single-barrel pour with more proof and a heavier caramel-and-baking-spice profile, and you accept that each barrel varies. Reviewers rate both highly, with Woodford slightly ahead on consistency and Blanton's ahead on depth and collectibility.

• Choose the Woodford Reserve if you want a balanced, consistent bourbon for sipping or cocktails and easy restocking.
• Choose the Blanton's if you want a higher-proof single-barrel pour with richer caramel and spice and don't mind barrel-to-barrel variation.