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Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon vs Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
Comparing Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon and Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond reveals a matchup between a modern, wheated craft expression and a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon | Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 70% corn, 5% rye, 25% wheat | 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 1 | ~$45 – $55 | ~$45 – $55 |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-10; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon
Didn't care for this one.
Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 4/7 oak: Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon 4 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10
spice 4/6 spice: Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon 4 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon 6 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon 4 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
nuttiness 2/3 nuttiness: Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon 2 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10
heat 5/5 heat: Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon 5 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon: An organic, wheat-heavy bourbon from a Michigan craft distillery. It stays round and caramel sweet on the palate with a peppery edge, while the nose is quiet and still a little young.
- 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 Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon if you want an organic, Midwest craft wheater with a round, caramel-forward body.
- 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 with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon); neat, old-fashioned (Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond).