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Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea vs Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
Comparing Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea and Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond reveals a matchup between a sourced, even-keeled blend and a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea | Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 4 years |
| Proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +10 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$70 – $85 | ~$45 – $55 ~$28 less |
- Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea 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
Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
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Flavor Profile
Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 4/6 spice: Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea 4 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10
heat 3/5 heat: Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea 3 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea 6 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10
oak 6/7 oak: Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea 6 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea 5 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea 3 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The gap between these two is mostly about spice.
- Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea: Bourbon that spends months rocking in a ship's hold. Each voyage tastes a little different, but expect caramel and dark sugar with a savory, faintly salty edge from the trip.
- 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 Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea if you want a conversation-piece bourbon with a savory, slightly briny twist from aging at sea.
- 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 lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea); neat, old-fashioned (Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond).