Compare
Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond vs Old Forester Statesman
Put Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond next to Old Forester Statesman and you have a classic, corn-forward stalwart set against a classic, high-rye stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond | Old Forester Statesman |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | 4 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) +5 proof | 95 proof (47.5% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$16 – $22 ~$34 less | ~$50 – $55 |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Old Forester Statesman
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond Old Forester Statesman
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 4/7 fruit: Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 7 out of 10
sweetness 6/8 sweetness: Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 8 out of 10
nuttiness 4/2 nuttiness: Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 2 out of 10
oak 6/5 oak: Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10
heat 5/4 heat: Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 4 out of 10
spice 5/5 spice: Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Fruit character is what sets these apart.
- Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond: Arguably the best value in all of bourbon: a bonded 100-proof Kentucky whiskey for under twenty dollars. Straightforward vanilla and caramel with just enough oak, and nothing at all to apologise for.
- Old Forester Statesman: Old Forester's fruit-forward middle child, first made for a spy movie tie-in. Bright cherry and brown sugar lead, with cocoa and a touch of the house banana note.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond if you want a bonded, honest, full-proof Kentucky bourbon for the price of a cocktail.
- Go with Old Forester Statesman if you want a bright, cherry-sweet Old Forester that sits between the 100 and 1920 in weight.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Old Forester Statesman).