Compare
Jack Daniel’s 12 Year vs Old Forester Statesman
Put Jack Daniel’s 12 Year next to Old Forester Statesman and you have a classic, corn-forward stalwart set against a classic, high-rye stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Jack Daniel’s 12 Year | Old Forester Statesman |
|---|---|---|
| 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) +12 proof | 95 proof (47.5% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$80 – $120 | ~$50 – $55 ~$48 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 Statesman
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Jack Daniel’s 12 Year Old Forester Statesman
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 8/5 oak: Jack Daniel’s 12 Year 8 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10
heat 6/4 heat: Jack Daniel’s 12 Year 6 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 4 out of 10
nuttiness 4/2 nuttiness: Jack Daniel’s 12 Year 4 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 2 out of 10
fruit 6/7 fruit: Jack Daniel’s 12 Year 6 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 7 out of 10
sweetness 8/8 sweetness: Jack Daniel’s 12 Year 8 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 8 out of 10
spice 5/5 spice: Jack Daniel’s 12 Year 5 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 5 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 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 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 Statesman if you want a bright, cherry-sweet Old Forester that sits between the 100 and 1920 in weight at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Jack Daniel’s 12 Year); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Old Forester Statesman).