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Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel vs Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
Comparing Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel and Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 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 1897 Bottled-in-Bond |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 4 years |
| Proof | 94 proof (47% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +6 proof |
| 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 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 9/7 oak: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 9 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10
nuttiness 5/3 nuttiness: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 5 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10
sweetness 8/7 sweetness: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 8 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10
spice 5/6 spice: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 5 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 4 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
heat 4/5 heat: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 4 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 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 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 Toasted Barrel if you want a distinctive toasted-oak, marshmallow-sweet finish you will not find in a standard bourbon.
- 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 (Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel); neat, old-fashioned (Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond).