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Horse Soldier Barrel Strength vs Old Forester Statesman
Put Horse Soldier Barrel Strength next to Old Forester Statesman and you have an uncut, high-wheat heavyweight set against a classic, high-rye stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Horse Soldier Barrel Strength | Old Forester Statesman |
|---|---|---|
| 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) +16 proof | 95 proof (47.5% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$78 – $85 | ~$50 – $55 ~$29 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 Statesman
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Flavor Profile
Horse Soldier Barrel Strength Old Forester Statesman
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 7/4 heat: Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 7 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 4 out of 10
fruit 5/7 fruit: Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 5 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 7 out of 10
sweetness 7/8 sweetness: Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 7 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 8 out of 10
oak 6/5 oak: Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 6 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/2 nuttiness: Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 3 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 2 out of 10
spice 5/5 spice: Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 5 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 5 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 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 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 Statesman if you want a bright, cherry-sweet Old Forester that sits between the 100 and 1920 in weight at a lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Horse Soldier Barrel Strength); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Old Forester Statesman).