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Horse Soldier Barrel Strength vs Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
Comparing Horse Soldier Barrel Strength and Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond reveals a matchup between an uncut, wheated heavyweight and a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Horse Soldier Barrel Strength | Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 4 years |
| Proof | 111 proof (55.5% ABV) +11 proof | 100 proof (50% 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
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Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
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Flavor Profile
Horse Soldier Barrel Strength Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 7/5 heat: Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 7 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
spice 5/6 spice: Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 5 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10
oak 6/7 oak: Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 6 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10
sweetness 7/7 sweetness: Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 7 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 5 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 3 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 3 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 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 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 1897 Bottled-in-Bond if you want a bonded, denser take on the Old Forester profile with more barrel behind it at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Horse Soldier Barrel Strength); neat, old-fashioned (Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond).