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Eagle Rare 12 Year vs Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
Put Eagle Rare 12 Year next to Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond and you have a classic, corn-forward stalwart set against a classic, high-rye stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Eagle Rare 12 Year | Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | 12 years +8 yr | 4 years |
| Proof | 95 proof (47.5% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +5 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$50 – $80 | ~$45 – $55 ~$15 less |
| Availability | Allocated | Widely available easier to find |
- Eagle Rare 12 Year 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
Eagle Rare 12 Year
Top 3, behind George T. Stagg and Jack Daniel's 14.
Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Eagle Rare 12 Year Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 5/6 spice: Eagle Rare 12 Year 5 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10
fruit 6/5 fruit: Eagle Rare 12 Year 6 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Eagle Rare 12 Year 4 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10
sweetness 7/7 sweetness: Eagle Rare 12 Year 7 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10
oak 7/7 oak: Eagle Rare 12 Year 7 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10
heat 5/5 heat: Eagle Rare 12 Year 5 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 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.
- Eagle Rare 12 Year: Two more years and five more proof points than Eagle Rare 10. Brown sugar and toffee lead, with a drier, more astringent oak 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 Eagle Rare 12 Year if you want an older, richer step up from Eagle Rare 10 with more brown sugar and oak with an older age statement.
- 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 lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Eagle Rare 12 Year); neat, old-fashioned (Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond).