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Four Roses Single Barrel vs Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
On paper Four Roses Single Barrel and Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond are near neighbours — both high-rye bourbons — so personal preference more than spec is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Four Roses Single Barrel | Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 60% corn, 35% rye, 5% malted barley | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 4 years |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$45 – $55 | ~$45 – $55 |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Four Roses Single Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Four Roses Single Barrel Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 8/6 spice: Four Roses Single Barrel 8 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10
fruit 7/5 fruit: Four Roses Single Barrel 7 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Four Roses Single Barrel 6 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10
oak 6/7 oak: Four Roses Single Barrel 6 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10
heat 6/5 heat: Four Roses Single Barrel 6 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Four Roses Single Barrel 3 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Rye spice is the dividing line here.
- Four Roses Single Barrel: The OBSV recipe on its own at 100 proof — the highest-rye mash Four Roses uses, paired with their most floral yeast. Cherry and clove in equal measure, and a genuinely distinctive 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 Four Roses Single Barrel if you want the most expressive, spice-and-fruit-forward single recipe in the Four Roses range.
- 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.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Four Roses Single Barrel); neat, old-fashioned (Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond).