Compare
Jack Daniel’s 12 Year vs Old Forester 1870 Original Batch
Comparing Jack Daniel’s 12 Year and Old Forester 1870 Original Batch reveals a matchup between a traditional, even-keeled Kentucky staple and a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Jack Daniel’s 12 Year | Old Forester 1870 Original Batch |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Tennessee Whiskey | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 80% corn, 8% rye, 12% malted barley | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | 12 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 107 proof (53.5% ABV) +17 proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$80 – $120 | ~$45 – $55 ~$50 less |
| Availability | Limited | Widely available easier to find |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-10; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Jack Daniel’s 12 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Old Forester 1870 Original Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Jack Daniel’s 12 Year Old Forester 1870 Original Batch
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 8/5 oak: Jack Daniel’s 12 Year 8 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 5 out of 10
heat 6/3 heat: Jack Daniel’s 12 Year 6 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 3 out of 10
nuttiness 4/2 nuttiness: Jack Daniel’s 12 Year 4 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 2 out of 10
sweetness 8/7 sweetness: Jack Daniel’s 12 Year 8 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 7 out of 10
spice 5/4 spice: Jack Daniel’s 12 Year 5 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 4 out of 10
fruit 6/6 fruit: Jack Daniel’s 12 Year 6 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- Jack Daniel’s 12 Year: Twelve-year Jack Daniel's at 107 proof. Sweet and creamy, with butterscotch, pipe tobacco and seasoned oak.
- 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 Jack Daniel’s 12 Year if you want a sweet, creamy, well-aged Jack Daniel's with pipe tobacco and oak with more proof behind it.
- 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 and without hunting for it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Jack Daniel’s 12 Year); neat, rocks, highball (Old Forester 1870 Original Batch).