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Barrell Foundation Bourbon vs Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
Barrell Foundation Bourbon and Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond are cut from similar cloth: two takes on high-rye bourbons, where the real difference is price (~$50 – $60 vs. ~$45 – $55).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Barrell Foundation Bourbon | Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 73% corn, 23% rye, 4% malted barley | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | 5 years +1 yr | 4 years |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$50 – $60 | ~$45 – $55 ~$5 less |
- Barrell Foundation Bourbon does not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-10; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Barrell Foundation Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Barrell Foundation Bourbon Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Barrell Foundation Bourbon 6 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10
oak 6/7 oak: Barrell Foundation Bourbon 6 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10
spice 6/6 spice: Barrell Foundation Bourbon 6 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Barrell Foundation Bourbon 5 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
heat 5/5 heat: Barrell Foundation Bourbon 5 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Barrell Foundation Bourbon 3 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 3 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.
- Barrell Foundation Bourbon: Barrell's everyday bottle: a multi-state blend proofed down to 100 instead of bottled at cask strength. Creamy cake and vanilla up front, then a dry, rye-driven peppery finish.
- 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 Foundation Bourbon if you want an approachable, 100-proof Barrell blend that still shows off multi-state blending 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 slightly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Barrell Foundation Bourbon); neat, old-fashioned (Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond).