Compare
Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel vs Old Forester 1870 Original Batch
Comparing Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel and Old Forester 1870 Original Batch reveals a matchup between a traditional, even-keeled Kentucky staple and a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel | Old Forester 1870 Original Batch |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 94 proof (47% ABV) +4 proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$60 – $80 | ~$45 – $55 ~$20 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 Toasted Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Old Forester 1870 Original Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel Old Forester 1870 Original Batch
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 9/5 oak: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 9 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 5 out of 10
nuttiness 5/2 nuttiness: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 5 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 2 out of 10
fruit 4/6 fruit: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 4 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 6 out of 10
sweetness 8/7 sweetness: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 8 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 7 out of 10
spice 5/4 spice: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 5 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 4 out of 10
heat 4/3 heat: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 4 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel: Finished in a second toasted (not charred) barrel, which produces an unmistakable toasted-marshmallow note. Sweet and heavily wooded, and one of the more distinctive finishes any major producer makes.
- Old Forester 1870 Original Batch: The first bottle in Old Forester's Whiskey Row Series, recreating the founder's habit of blending barrels from three warehouses. It is the lightest of the series, caramel sweet and easy.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel if you want a distinctive toasted-oak, marshmallow-sweet finish you will not find in a standard bourbon.
- Go with Old Forester 1870 Original Batch if you want the gentlest, most easygoing pour in the Whiskey Row Series at a lower price point and without hunting for it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel); neat, rocks, highball (Old Forester 1870 Original Batch).