Compare
Jim Beam Black vs Old Forester 1870 Original Batch
Comparing Jim Beam Black and Old Forester 1870 Original Batch is a closer contest than it looks — both are high-rye bourbons, separated mainly by price (~$22 – $28 vs. ~$45 – $55).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Jim Beam Black | Old Forester 1870 Original Batch |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | 7 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 86 proof (43% ABV) | 90 proof (45% ABV) +4 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$22 – $28 ~$25 less | ~$45 – $55 |
- Jim Beam Black does not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Jim Beam Black
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Old Forester 1870 Original Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Jim Beam Black Old Forester 1870 Original Batch
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
nuttiness 6/2 nuttiness: Jim Beam Black 6 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 2 out of 10
fruit 3/6 fruit: Jim Beam Black 3 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 6 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Jim Beam Black 6 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 7 out of 10
oak 6/5 oak: Jim Beam Black 6 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 5 out of 10
spice 4/4 spice: Jim Beam Black 4 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 4 out of 10
heat 3/3 heat: Jim Beam Black 3 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Nutty, grain-driven character is the divider.
- Jim Beam Black: The extra-aged version of the white label and a considerable step up for a few dollars more. Softer and rounder than Knob Creek with the same family peanut note, at a proof that keeps everything gentle.
- 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 Jim Beam Black if you want the Beam house character at its most affordable and easy-going.
- Go with Old Forester 1870 Original Batch if you want the gentlest, most easygoing pour in the Whiskey Row Series.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, cocktails (Jim Beam Black); neat, rocks, highball (Old Forester 1870 Original Batch).