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Four Roses Small Batch vs Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
Four Roses Small Batch and Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond are cut from similar cloth: two takes on high-rye bourbons, where the real difference is proof (90 vs. 100).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Four Roses Small Batch | Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 4 years |
| Proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +10 proof |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$32 – $38 ~$15 less | ~$45 – $55 |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Four Roses Small Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Four Roses Small Batch Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 5/7 oak: Four Roses Small Batch 5 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10
fruit 7/5 fruit: Four Roses Small Batch 7 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Four Roses Small Batch 6 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10
heat 4/5 heat: Four Roses Small Batch 4 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
spice 6/6 spice: Four Roses Small Batch 6 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Four Roses Small Batch 3 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- Four Roses Small Batch: Four Roses' yeast strains push this toward fruit and florals rather than wood. Red berry and cinnamon over a light body, with the rye showing up as brightness instead of bite.
- 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 Small Batch if you want a fruit-and-floral profile that stands apart from the usual caramel-and-oak template at a lower price point.
- 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 with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, cocktails (Four Roses Small Batch); neat, old-fashioned (Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond).