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1792 Small Batch vs Old Forester 1870 Original Batch
1792 Small Batch and Old Forester 1870 Original Batch are cut from similar cloth: two takes on high-rye bourbons, where the real difference is price (~$26 – $34 vs. ~$45 – $55).
Key Specifications
| Feature | 1792 Small Batch | Old Forester 1870 Original Batch |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 93.7 proof (46.9% ABV) +4 proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$26 – $34 ~$20 less | ~$45 – $55 |
- 1792 Small Batch does not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
1792 Small Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Old Forester 1870 Original Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
1792 Small Batch Old Forester 1870 Original Batch
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 7/4 spice: 1792 Small Batch 7 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 4 out of 10
heat 5/3 heat: 1792 Small Batch 5 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 3 out of 10
nuttiness 4/2 nuttiness: 1792 Small Batch 4 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 2 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: 1792 Small Batch 6 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 7 out of 10
oak 6/5 oak: 1792 Small Batch 6 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 5 out of 10
fruit 5/6 fruit: 1792 Small Batch 5 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The gap between these two is mostly about spice.
- 1792 Small Batch: Barton's flagship and one of the most under-discussed bottles at its price. A high-rye character with cocoa and orange peel, and considerably more going on than the shelf position suggests.
- 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 1792 Small Batch if you want an overlooked, spice-forward Kentucky bourbon that punches above its price.
- 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 (1792 Small Batch); neat, rocks, highball (Old Forester 1870 Original Batch).