Old Forester vs Woodford Reserve:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Woodford Reserve had more branded searches than Old Forester among bourbon brands worldwide. Woodford Reserve had about 135,000 branded searches, while Old Forester had 27,100. Woodford Reserve made up 10% of all bourbon brand searches we track, and Old Forester accounted for 2%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about bourbon brands, Woodford Reserve appeared in four of the five answers and Old Forester in two. Woodford Reserve was mentioned before Old Forester in every answer that named either.
Who do people search for more?
Woodford Reserve, about 5 searches for every 1 for Old Forester
Who does AI mention more?
Woodford Reserve, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, Old Forester in 2
Who does AI recommend more?
Woodford Reserve, named ahead of Old Forester in 4 of 4 answers
Follow Old Forester vs Woodford Reserve and get free monthly updates on what changed
By continuing you'll get index updates and occasional product news from Brandwave. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy
Top bourbon brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Woodford Reserve was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Old Forester was mentioned in two out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Woodford Reserve was listed before Old Forester in every answer that named either.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Wild Turkey1st
Four Roses2nd
Buffalo Trace3rd
Maker's Mark4th- Woodford Reserve5th
Elijah Craig6th
Jim Beam7th
Evan Williams8th
Old Forester9th
Knob Creek10th- +5 more
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Four Roses5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Buffalo Trace4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Maker's Mark4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Woodford Reserve4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Elijah Craig4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Wild Turkey4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Blanton's2 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers- Knob Creek2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Old Forester2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Jim Beam1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about bourbon brands
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which bourbon should I buy?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best bourbon brands?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's a good bourbon for a beginner?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“bourbon brands”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“bourbon whiskey”
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 25, 2026.
Is Old Forester or Woodford Reserve more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Old Forester and Woodford Reserve by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all 15 bourbon brands we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Woodford Reserve, Old Forester. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Jim Beam | Buffalo Trace | Maker's Mark | Woodford Reserve | Blanton's | Bulleit | Eagle Rare | Elijah Craig | Wild Turkey | Evan Williams | Basil Hayden | Four Roses | Knob Creek | Old Forester | Angel's Envy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 20.5% | 11.2% | 13.7% | 11.2% | 7.5% | 6.2% | 6.2% | 4.1% | 4.6% | 4.1% | 3.4% | 2.8% | 2.3% | 1.8% | 0.37% |
| Nov 2025 | 18.8% | 12.5% | 12.5% | 10.3% | 6.9% | 6.9% | 6.9% | 3.8% | 5.1% | 4.6% | 3.8% | 3.1% | 2.5% | 2.1% | 0.34% |
| Dec 2025 | 26.7% | 9.8% | 12% | 9.8% | 6.6% | 6.6% | 8% | 3.6% | 4% | 2.9% | 3.6% | 2.9% | 2% | 1.3% | 0.32% |
| Jan 2026 | 20.5% | 11.2% | 13.7% | 11.2% | 7.5% | 6.2% | 6.2% | 4.1% | 4.6% | 4.1% | 3.4% | 2.8% | 2.3% | 1.8% | 0.37% |
| Feb 2026 | 28% | 10.3% | 12.6% | 10.3% | 5.6% | 5.6% | 5.6% | 3.8% | 4.2% | 3.8% | 3.1% | 3.1% | 2.1% | 1.7% | 0.33% |
| Mar 2026 | 19.6% | 10.7% | 13.1% | 10.7% | 8.8% | 5.9% | 5.9% | 4.8% | 5% | 4.8% | 3.2% | 2.6% | 2.6% | 1.8% | 0.35% |
| Apr 2026 | 20.1% | 11% | 13.5% | 11% | 7.4% | 6% | 6% | 4% | 5.1% | 4.9% | 3.3% | 2.7% | 2.7% | 1.8% | 0.36% |
| May 2026 | 17.7% | 9.7% | 11.9% | 11.9% | 6.5% | 6.5% | 5.3% | 11.9% | 4.9% | 3.6% | 2.9% | 2.9% | 2.4% | 1.6% | 0.32% |
| Jun 2026 | 19.5% | 10.7% | 13.1% | 10.7% | 7.2% | 7.2% | 5.9% | 5.9% | 4.8% | 3.2% | 3.2% | 3.9% | 2.6% | 1.8% | 0.35% |
| Jul 2026 | 20.5% | 11.2% | 13.7% | 11.2% | 7.5% | 6.2% | 6.2% | 4.1% | 4.6% | 3.4% | 2.8% | 4.1% | 2.3% | 1.8% | 0.37% |
| Aug 2026 | 22.9% | 10.3% | 15.3% | 10.3% | 6.9% | 5.6% | 5.6% | 4.6% | 4.8% | 3.1% | 3.1% | 3.1% | 2.1% | 1.7% | 0.92% |
| Sep 2026 | 22.3% | 12.2% | 12.2% | 10% | 6.7% | 5.5% | 5.5% | 5.5% | 4.7% | 3.7% | 3% | 3% | 2% | 2% | 1.6% |
How has the Old Forester and Woodford Reserve comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Woodford Reserve was ahead of Old Forester in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Old Forester’s share of searches among bourbon brands worldwide moved from 1.8% to 2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 27.1K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Woodford Reserve’s share of searches among bourbon brands worldwide moved from 11.2% to 10%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 165K to 135K.
How did search popularity change for bourbon brands worldwide in September 2026?
1 change
Estimated monthly branded searches for Woodford Reserve worldwide fell 18.2% over 12 measured months, from 165K to 135K in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Old Forester’s and Woodford Reserve’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Old Forester
1 branded search term
- old forester
Woodford Reserve
1 branded search term
- woodford reserve
Other head-to-heads among bourbon brands
Put your own brand in this comparison
Brandwave tracks your branded demand next to the rival you actually watch, with your campaigns, spend and outcomes on the same timeline.