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Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond vs Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond and Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an old-guard, wheat-forward classic versus an old-guard, rye-forward classic.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond | Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond |
|---|---|---|
| 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 +5 yr | 4 years |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$110 – $180 | ~$45 – $55 ~$95 less |
| Availability | Allocated | Widely available easier to find |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
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Flavor Profile
Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 2/6 spice: Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 2 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10
sweetness 8/7 sweetness: Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 8 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10
fruit 6/5 fruit: Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
heat 4/5 heat: Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
oak 7/7 oak: Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Rye spice is the dividing line here.
- 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 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 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 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 (Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond); neat, old-fashioned (Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond).