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Ancient Age vs Old Forester 1870 Original Batch
On paper Ancient Age and Old Forester 1870 Original Batch are near neighbours — both high-rye bourbons — so price (~$14 – $18 vs. ~$45 – $55) is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Ancient Age | Old Forester 1870 Original Batch |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 15% rye, 10% malted barley | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) | 90 proof (45% ABV) +10 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$14 – $18 ~$34 less | ~$45 – $55 |
- Ancient Age 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
Ancient Age
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Old Forester 1870 Original Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Ancient Age Old Forester 1870 Original Batch
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 5/7 sweetness: Ancient Age 5 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 7 out of 10
oak 3/5 oak: Ancient Age 3 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 5 out of 10
fruit 4/6 fruit: Ancient Age 4 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 6 out of 10
nuttiness 4/2 nuttiness: Ancient Age 4 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 2 out of 10
heat 2/3 heat: Ancient Age 2 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 3 out of 10
spice 4/4 spice: Ancient Age 4 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Sweetness is where these two part ways.
- Ancient Age: The bottom rung of the Buffalo Trace ladder and priced accordingly. Thin and simple at 80 proof, but it is recognisably the Mash Bill #2 recipe and it does its job in a highball without complaint.
- 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 Ancient Age if you want the cheapest honest mixer in the lineup and you are not drinking it neat.
- Go with Old Forester 1870 Original Batch if you want the gentlest, most easygoing pour in the Whiskey Row Series with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed cocktails, highball (Ancient Age); neat, rocks, highball (Old Forester 1870 Original Batch).