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Kentucky Owl Batch 12 vs Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
Comparing Kentucky Owl Batch 12 and Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond reveals a matchup between an uncut, cask-strength bruiser and a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Kentucky Owl Batch 12 | Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 4 years |
| Proof | 115.8 proof (57.9% ABV) +16 proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$300 – $400 | ~$45 – $55 ~$300 less |
| Availability | Limited | Widely available easier to find |
- Kentucky Owl Batch 12 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
Kentucky Owl Batch 12
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Kentucky Owl Batch 12 Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 7/5 heat: Kentucky Owl Batch 12 7 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Kentucky Owl Batch 12 6 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10
spice 7/6 spice: Kentucky Owl Batch 12 7 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10
oak 8/7 oak: Kentucky Owl Batch 12 8 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: Kentucky Owl Batch 12 4 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Kentucky Owl Batch 12 3 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Proof and heat dominate the difference.
- Kentucky Owl Batch 12: A high-end blend of young and older sourced Kentucky bourbons. Leather, smoky oak and caramel, with a peppery, spice-forward palate.
- 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 Kentucky Owl Batch 12 if you want a spicy, leathery, high-end blended bourbon with more proof behind it and with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
- 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 significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat (Kentucky Owl Batch 12); neat, old-fashioned (Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond).