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Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) vs Old Forester 1870 Original Batch
Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) and Old Forester 1870 Original Batch sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an undiluted barrel-strength pour versus an old-guard, rye-forward classic.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) | Old Forester 1870 Original Batch |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 110 proof (55% ABV) +20 proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$80 – $100 | ~$45 – $55 ~$40 less |
| Availability | Limited | Widely available easier to find |
- Barrell Bourbon (Batch 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
Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series)
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Old Forester 1870 Original Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) Old Forester 1870 Original Batch
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 8/3 heat: Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) 8 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 3 out of 10
spice 7/4 spice: Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) 7 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 4 out of 10
oak 8/5 oak: Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) 8 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 5 out of 10
nuttiness 4/2 nuttiness: Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) 4 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 2 out of 10
sweetness 7/7 sweetness: Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) 7 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 7 out of 10
fruit 6/6 fruit: Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) 6 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land very differently on the palate for heat.
- Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series): Barrell blends sourced barrels from multiple states and bottles at cask strength, and the batches differ enormously. At their best they show a tropical fruit note that almost nothing else in bourbon delivers.
- Old Forester 1870 Original Batch: The first bottle in Old Forester's Whiskey Row Series, recreating the founder's habit of blending barrels from three warehouses. It is the lightest of the series, caramel sweet and easy.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) if you want an adventurous, cask-strength blend and you accept that each batch is its own animal with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
- Go with Old Forester 1870 Original Batch if you want the gentlest, most easygoing pour in the Whiskey Row Series at a significantly lower price point and without hunting for it.
Best enjoyed neat (Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series)); neat, rocks, highball (Old Forester 1870 Original Batch).