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Blanton’s Single Barrel vs Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
On paper Blanton’s Single Barrel and Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond are near neighbours — both high-rye bourbons — so price (~$80 – $150 vs. ~$45 – $55) is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Blanton’s Single Barrel | Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 15% rye, 10% malted barley | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 4 years |
| Proof | 93 proof (46.5% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +7 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$80 – $150 | ~$45 – $55 ~$65 less |
| Availability | Allocated | Widely available easier to find |
- Blanton’s Single Barrel 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
Blanton’s Single Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Blanton’s Single Barrel Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Blanton’s Single Barrel 6 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10
oak 6/7 oak: Blanton’s Single Barrel 6 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10
fruit 6/5 fruit: Blanton’s Single Barrel 6 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
heat 4/5 heat: Blanton’s Single Barrel 4 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
spice 6/6 spice: Blanton’s Single Barrel 6 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Blanton’s Single Barrel 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.
- Blanton’s Single Barrel: The bottle that invented the single-barrel category and still trades largely on its horse-stopper cork and its scarcity. The whiskey itself is genuinely good — honeyed and citrus-led with nutmeg spice — but at secondary prices you are paying for the bottle as much as the pour.
- 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 Blanton’s Single Barrel if you want the original single-barrel presentation and a honeyed, citrus-led profile, and the hunt is part of the appeal.
- 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, rocks (Blanton’s Single Barrel); neat, old-fashioned (Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond).