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Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat vs Old Forester Statesman
Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat and Old Forester Statesman 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 Statesman |
|---|---|---|
| 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) +11 proof | 95 proof (47.5% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$50 – $55 | ~$50 – $55 |
- 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 Statesman
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat Old Forester Statesman
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 3/5 spice: Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 3 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10
sweetness 7/8 sweetness: Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 7 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 8 out of 10
fruit 8/7 fruit: Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 8 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 7 out of 10
heat 5/4 heat: Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 5 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 4 out of 10
oak 5/5 oak: Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 5 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10
nuttiness 2/2 nuttiness: Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 2 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 2 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The gap between these two is mostly about spice.
- 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 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 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 more proof behind it.
- Go with Old Forester Statesman if you want a bright, cherry-sweet Old Forester that sits between the 100 and 1920 in weight.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Old Forester Statesman).