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Baker’s 7 Year vs Old Forester Statesman
Baker’s 7 Year and Old Forester Statesman are cut from similar cloth: two takes on high-rye bourbons, where the real difference is proof (107 vs. 95).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Baker’s 7 Year | Old Forester Statesman |
|---|---|---|
| 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) +12 proof | 95 proof (47.5% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$55 – $70 | ~$50 – $55 ~$10 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 Statesman
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Baker’s 7 Year Old Forester Statesman
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
nuttiness 7/2 nuttiness: Baker’s 7 Year 7 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 2 out of 10
sweetness 6/8 sweetness: Baker’s 7 Year 6 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 8 out of 10
oak 7/5 oak: Baker’s 7 Year 7 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10
fruit 5/7 fruit: Baker’s 7 Year 5 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 7 out of 10
heat 6/4 heat: Baker’s 7 Year 6 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 4 out of 10
spice 5/5 spice: Baker’s 7 Year 5 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 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 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 Baker’s 7 Year if you want the Beam character in its smoothest, creamiest form at a real proof point.
- Go with Old Forester Statesman if you want a bright, cherry-sweet Old Forester that sits between the 100 and 1920 in weight at a slightly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Baker’s 7 Year); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Old Forester Statesman).