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Horse Soldier Barrel Strength vs Old Forester 1870 Original Batch
Comparing Horse Soldier Barrel Strength and Old Forester 1870 Original Batch reveals a matchup between an uncut, wheated heavyweight and a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Horse Soldier Barrel Strength | Old Forester 1870 Original Batch |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon, Barrel Proof | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 70% corn, 20% wheat, 10% malted barley | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 111 proof (55.5% ABV) +21 proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$78 – $85 | ~$45 – $55 ~$32 less |
- Horse Soldier Barrel Strength does not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-10; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Horse Soldier Barrel Strength
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Old Forester 1870 Original Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Horse Soldier Barrel Strength Old Forester 1870 Original Batch
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 7/3 heat: Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 7 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 3 out of 10
spice 5/4 spice: Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 5 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 4 out of 10
oak 6/5 oak: Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 6 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 5 out of 10
fruit 5/6 fruit: Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 5 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/2 nuttiness: Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 3 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 2 out of 10
sweetness 7/7 sweetness: Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 7 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 7 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land very differently on the palate for heat.
- Horse Soldier Barrel Strength: A barrel-strength wheater from the veteran-founded Horse Soldier brand. Brown sugar and toasted oak lead, baking spice and heat follow, and a splash of water pulls out darker fruit.
- Old Forester 1870 Original Batch: The first bottle in Old Forester's Whiskey Row Series, recreating the founder's habit of blending barrels from three warehouses. It is the lightest of the series, caramel sweet and easy.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Horse Soldier Barrel Strength if you want a big, barrel-strength wheated bourbon with plenty of brown sugar and warmth with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
- Go with Old Forester 1870 Original Batch if you want the gentlest, most easygoing pour in the Whiskey Row Series at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Horse Soldier Barrel Strength); neat, rocks, highball (Old Forester 1870 Original Batch).