Compare
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof vs Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
Put Elijah Craig Barrel Proof next to Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond and you have a full-proof, unfiltered heavyweight set against a classic, high-rye stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Elijah Craig Barrel Proof | Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | 12 years +8 yr | 4 years |
| Proof | 124 proof (62% ABV) +24 proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$70 – $100 | ~$45 – $55 ~$35 less |
| Availability | Limited | Widely available easier to find |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 9/5 heat: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 9 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
oak 9/7 oak: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 9 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10
spice 7/6 spice: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 7 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 4 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 4 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10
sweetness 7/7 sweetness: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 7 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Proof and heat dominate the difference.
- Elijah Craig Barrel Proof: The uncut, unfiltered version of the same 12-year Heaven Hill juice, and the intensity is the whole point. Thick fudge and char with cinnamon heat, a genuinely long finish, and enough proof that water meaningfully changes the glass.
- 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 Elijah Craig Barrel Proof if you want maximum intensity and oak depth, and you want to control the dilution yourself 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 significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat (Elijah Craig Barrel Proof); neat, old-fashioned (Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond).