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Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond vs Old Forester 100 Proof

Comparing Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond and Old Forester 100 Proof reveals a matchup between a traditional, wheated Kentucky staple and a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple.

Key Specifications

Feature Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond Old Forester 100 Proof
Type / Style Wheated Bourbon High-Rye Bourbon
Mash Bill 68% corn, 20% wheat, 12% malted barley 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley
Age 9 years No age statement
Proof 100 proof (50% ABV) 100 proof (50% ABV)
Approx. Price 1 ~$110 – $180 ~$26 – $32 ~$116 less
Availability Allocated Widely available easier to find
  1. US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.

AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes

Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond

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Old Forester 100 Proof

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Flavor Profile

Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond Old Forester 100 Proof
sweetnessspiceoakfruitheatnuttiness

Axis by axis, biggest gap first

spice 2/6 spice: Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 2 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 6 out of 10
sweetness 8/7 sweetness: Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 8 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 7 out of 10
oak 7/6 oak: Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 6 out of 10
fruit 6/5 fruit: Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 5 out of 10
heat 4/5 heat: Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 3 out of 10

Flavor Profile Differences

The gap between these two is mostly about spice.

  • Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond: The decanter series, released twice a year at varying ages, and Heaven Hill's most serious wheated statement. Age shows as polished oak and stewed fruit rather than tannin, but you pay handsomely for the bottle.
  • Old Forester 100 Proof: The bottle most people should buy from this range: the same recipe as the 86 with enough proof to actually taste it. One of the strongest arguments on the shelf for spending six dollars more.

Which One Should You Choose?

  • Go with Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond if you want an aged, bonded wheater in a presentation bottle and the price is not the obstacle.
  • Go with Old Forester 100 Proof if you want the best value in the Old Forester range and a superb old-fashioned base without hunting for it.

Best enjoyed neat (Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Old Forester 100 Proof).