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Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat vs Old Forester 100 Proof
Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat and Old Forester 100 Proof sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: a new-wave, wheat-forward craft style versus an old-guard, rye-forward classic.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat | Old Forester 100 Proof |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 53% corn, 39% wheat, 8% malted barley | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | 6 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 106 proof (53% ABV) +6 proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$50 – $55 | ~$26 – $32 ~$24 less |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Old Forester 100 Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat Old Forester 100 Proof
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 3/6 spice: Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 3 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 6 out of 10
fruit 8/5 fruit: Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 8 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 5 out of 10
oak 5/6 oak: Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 5 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 6 out of 10
nuttiness 2/3 nuttiness: Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 2 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 3 out of 10
sweetness 7/7 sweetness: Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 7 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 7 out of 10
heat 5/5 heat: Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 5 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Rye spice is the dividing line here.
- Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat: Because wheat makes up a massive 39% of the mash bill, this pour trades the aggressive spice of rye for a softer, oily mouthfeel. Expect bright fruit notes like ripe apricot and lemon on the nose, transitioning to pastry dough, light oak, and a creamy creme brulee sweetness balanced by a mild peppery backbone.
- 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 Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat if you want a softer, fruit-forward, contemporary profile with a richer, oily texture and lower emphasis on traditional oak with slightly more proof behind it.
- 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 (Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Old Forester 100 Proof).