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Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series vs Old Forester Statesman
Put Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series next to Old Forester Statesman and you have a contemporary, corn-forward craft build set against a classic, high-rye stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series | Old Forester Statesman |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 98.9 proof (49.5% ABV) +4 proof | 95 proof (47.5% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$55 – $70 | ~$50 – $55 ~$10 less |
- Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series 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
Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Old Forester Statesman
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series Old Forester Statesman
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 7/8 sweetness: Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series 7 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 8 out of 10
oak 6/5 oak: Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series 6 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10
fruit 6/7 fruit: Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series 6 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 7 out of 10
heat 5/4 heat: Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series 5 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/2 nuttiness: Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series 3 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 2 out of 10
spice 5/5 spice: Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series 5 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land close together on every flavor axis — the differences are in texture and proof more than character.
- Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series: A blend of Bardstown's own young distillate with older sourced Kentucky whiskey, which is exactly what the name describes. Polished and fruit-leaning, and a clear demonstration that the blending is the skill on show.
- 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 Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series if you want a well-built modern blend that shows what careful blending does rather than what age alone does.
- 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 (Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Old Forester Statesman).