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Four Roses Bourbon vs Old Forester Statesman
On paper Four Roses Bourbon and Old Forester Statesman are near neighbours — both high-rye bourbons — so proof (80 vs. 95) is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Four Roses Bourbon | Old Forester Statesman |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 75% corn, 20% rye, 5% malted barley | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) | 95 proof (47.5% ABV) +15 proof |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$22 – $28 ~$28 less | ~$50 – $55 |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Four Roses Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Old Forester Statesman
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Four Roses Bourbon Old Forester Statesman
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 6/8 sweetness: Four Roses Bourbon 6 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 8 out of 10
oak 3/5 oak: Four Roses Bourbon 3 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10
heat 2/4 heat: Four Roses Bourbon 2 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 4 out of 10
fruit 6/7 fruit: Four Roses Bourbon 6 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 7 out of 10
nuttiness 3/2 nuttiness: Four Roses Bourbon 3 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 2 out of 10
spice 5/5 spice: Four Roses Bourbon 5 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The clearest split is how sweet each one drinks.
- Four Roses Bourbon: The yellow label entry point, blending all ten Four Roses recipes at a gentle 80 proof. Light and fruity to a fault, but the house floral character is already recognisable and it mixes beautifully.
- 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 Four Roses Bourbon if you want the Four Roses fruit-and-floral signature at its lightest and cheapest.
- Go with Old Forester Statesman if you want a bright, cherry-sweet Old Forester that sits between the 100 and 1920 in weight with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed cocktails, highball, rocks (Four Roses Bourbon); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Old Forester Statesman).