Compare
Barrell Foundation Bourbon vs Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond
Barrell Foundation Bourbon and Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: a blender-built, rye-forward bottling versus an old-guard, classically built classic.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Barrell Foundation Bourbon | Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 73% corn, 23% rye, 4% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | 5 years +1 yr | 4 years |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$50 – $60 | ~$16 – $22 ~$36 less |
- Barrell Foundation Bourbon and Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Barrell Foundation Bourbon Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 6/5 spice: Barrell Foundation Bourbon 6 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
oak 6/5 oak: Barrell Foundation Bourbon 6 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: Barrell Foundation Bourbon 5 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Barrell Foundation Bourbon 3 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Barrell Foundation Bourbon 6 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10
heat 5/5 heat: Barrell Foundation Bourbon 5 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 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.
- Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond: A bonded 100-proof bourbon at a price that barely seems possible, though distribution is patchy outside Kentucky. Unremarkable in the best way: it does everything a bourbon should and nothing extra.
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 Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond if you want a bonded Kentucky bourbon for under twenty dollars, if you can find it in your state.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Barrell Foundation Bourbon); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond).