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Ancient Age vs Old Forester Statesman
On paper Ancient Age and Old Forester Statesman are near neighbours — both high-rye bourbons — so price (~$14 – $18 vs. ~$50 – $55) is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Ancient Age | Old Forester Statesman |
|---|---|---|
| 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) | 95 proof (47.5% ABV) +15 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$14 – $18 ~$37 less | ~$50 – $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 Statesman
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Ancient Age Old Forester Statesman
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 5/8 sweetness: Ancient Age 5 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 8 out of 10
fruit 4/7 fruit: Ancient Age 4 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 7 out of 10
oak 3/5 oak: Ancient Age 3 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10
heat 2/4 heat: Ancient Age 2 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 4 out of 10
nuttiness 4/2 nuttiness: Ancient Age 4 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 2 out of 10
spice 4/5 spice: Ancient Age 4 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 5 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 Statesman: Old Forester's fruit-forward middle child, first made for a spy movie tie-in. Bright cherry and brown sugar lead, with cocoa and a touch of the house banana note.
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 Statesman if you want a bright, cherry-sweet Old Forester that sits between the 100 and 1920 in weight with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed cocktails, highball (Ancient Age); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Old Forester Statesman).