Compare
Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) vs Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
Comparing Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) and Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond reveals a matchup between an uncut, cask-strength bruiser and a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) | Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 4 years |
| Proof | 110 proof (55% ABV) +10 proof | 100 proof (50% 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 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 8/5 heat: Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) 8 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
spice 7/6 spice: Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) 7 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10
oak 8/7 oak: Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) 8 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10
fruit 6/5 fruit: Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) 6 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) 4 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10
sweetness 7/7 sweetness: Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) 7 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 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 1897 Bottled-in-Bond: The bonded entry in the Whiskey Row series and a noticeable step up in density from the standard 100. More oak and more weight, though the price gap to the 100 proof is harder to justify than the flavour gap suggests.
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 1897 Bottled-in-Bond if you want a bonded, denser take on the Old Forester profile with more barrel behind it at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat (Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series)); neat, old-fashioned (Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond).