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Baker’s 7 Year vs Old Forester 100 Proof
On paper Baker’s 7 Year and Old Forester 100 Proof are near neighbours — both high-rye bourbons — so price (~$55 – $70 vs. ~$26 – $32) is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Baker’s 7 Year | Old Forester 100 Proof |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | 7 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 107 proof (53.5% ABV) +7 proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$55 – $70 | ~$26 – $32 ~$34 less |
- Baker’s 7 Year 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
Baker’s 7 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Old Forester 100 Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Baker’s 7 Year Old Forester 100 Proof
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
nuttiness 7/3 nuttiness: Baker’s 7 Year 7 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 3 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Baker’s 7 Year 6 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 7 out of 10
spice 5/6 spice: Baker’s 7 Year 5 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 6 out of 10
oak 7/6 oak: Baker’s 7 Year 7 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 6 out of 10
heat 6/5 heat: Baker’s 7 Year 6 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 5 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Baker’s 7 Year 5 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The house grain character is what splits these.
- Baker’s 7 Year: The gentlest of the Beam small-batch collection despite its 107 proof, thanks to an unusually creamy texture. The peanut note is present but softened, sitting under vanilla and light fruit.
- Old Forester 100 Proof: The bottle most people should buy from this range: the same recipe as the 86 with enough proof to actually taste it. One of the strongest arguments on the shelf for spending six dollars more.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Baker’s 7 Year if you want the Beam character in its smoothest, creamiest form at a real proof point.
- Go with Old Forester 100 Proof if you want the best value in the Old Forester range and a superb old-fashioned base.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Baker’s 7 Year); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Old Forester 100 Proof).