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Baker’s 7 Year vs Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
On paper Baker’s 7 Year and Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond are near neighbours — both high-rye bourbons — so age (7 years vs. 4 years) is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Baker’s 7 Year | Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond |
|---|---|---|
| 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 +3 yr | 4 years |
| Proof | 107 proof (53.5% ABV) +7 proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$55 – $70 | ~$45 – $55 ~$13 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 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Baker’s 7 Year Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
nuttiness 7/3 nuttiness: Baker’s 7 Year 7 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Baker’s 7 Year 6 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10
spice 5/6 spice: Baker’s 7 Year 5 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10
heat 6/5 heat: Baker’s 7 Year 6 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
oak 7/7 oak: Baker’s 7 Year 7 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Baker’s 7 Year 5 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Nutty, grain-driven character is the divider.
- 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 1897 Bottled-in-Bond: The bonded entry in the Whiskey Row series and a noticeable step up in density from the standard 100. More oak and more weight, though the price gap to the 100 proof is harder to justify than the flavour gap suggests.
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 with an older age statement.
- Go with Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond if you want a bonded, denser take on the Old Forester profile with more barrel behind it at a lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Baker’s 7 Year); neat, old-fashioned (Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond).