Compare
Copper & Kings Butchertown Bourbon vs Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
Copper & Kings Butchertown Bourbon and Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: a sourced, classically built blend versus an old-guard, rye-forward classic.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Copper & Kings Butchertown Bourbon | Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 4 years |
| Proof | 111 proof (55.5% ABV) +11 proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$40 – $70 | ~$45 – $55 ~$5 less |
| Availability | Limited | Widely available easier to find |
- Copper & Kings Butchertown 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
Copper & Kings Butchertown Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Copper & Kings Butchertown Bourbon Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 8/5 fruit: Copper & Kings Butchertown Bourbon 8 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
oak 6/7 oak: Copper & Kings Butchertown Bourbon 6 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10
heat 6/5 heat: Copper & Kings Butchertown Bourbon 6 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
sweetness 7/7 sweetness: Copper & Kings Butchertown Bourbon 7 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10
spice 6/6 spice: Copper & Kings Butchertown Bourbon 6 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Copper & Kings Butchertown Bourbon 3 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Fruit character is what sets these apart.
- Copper & Kings Butchertown Bourbon: Kentucky bourbon finished in the Louisville brandy maker's apple brandy barrels. The finish reads like caramel apple pie: baked apple and cinnamon over a sturdy oak base.
- 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 Copper & Kings Butchertown Bourbon if you want an apple-brandy-finished bourbon that tastes like caramel apple pie with more proof behind it.
- 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, old-fashioned (Copper & Kings Butchertown Bourbon); neat, old-fashioned (Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond).