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Ancient Age vs Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond
Put Ancient Age next to Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond and you have a classic, high-rye stalwart set against a classic, corn-forward stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Ancient Age | Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 15% rye, 10% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | 4 years |
| Proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +20 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$14 – $18 | ~$16 – $22 |
- Ancient Age and Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Ancient Age Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 2/5 heat: Ancient Age 2 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
oak 3/5 oak: Ancient Age 3 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
sweetness 5/6 sweetness: Ancient Age 5 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10
spice 4/5 spice: Ancient Age 4 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
fruit 4/4 fruit: Ancient Age 4 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10
nuttiness 4/4 nuttiness: Ancient Age 4 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land very differently on the palate for heat.
- 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.
- Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond: A bonded 100-proof bourbon at a price that barely seems possible, though distribution is patchy outside Kentucky. Unremarkable in the best way: it does everything a bourbon should and nothing extra.
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 Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond if you want a bonded Kentucky bourbon for under twenty dollars, if you can find it in your state with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed cocktails, highball (Ancient Age); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond).