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Barrell Foundation Bourbon vs Old Forester Statesman
Comparing Barrell Foundation Bourbon and Old Forester Statesman is a closer contest than it looks — both are high-rye bourbons, separated mainly by proof (100 vs. 95).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Barrell Foundation Bourbon | Old Forester Statesman |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) +5 proof | 95 proof (47.5% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$50 – $60 | ~$50 – $55 |
- 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 Statesman
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Barrell Foundation Bourbon Old Forester Statesman
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 6/8 sweetness: Barrell Foundation Bourbon 6 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 8 out of 10
fruit 5/7 fruit: Barrell Foundation Bourbon 5 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 7 out of 10
spice 6/5 spice: Barrell Foundation Bourbon 6 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10
oak 6/5 oak: Barrell Foundation Bourbon 6 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10
heat 5/4 heat: Barrell Foundation Bourbon 5 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/2 nuttiness: Barrell Foundation Bourbon 3 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 2 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Sweetness is where these two part ways.
- 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 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 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 Statesman if you want a bright, cherry-sweet Old Forester that sits between the 100 and 1920 in weight.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Barrell Foundation Bourbon); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Old Forester Statesman).