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Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond vs Old Forester Statesman
Put Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond next to Old Forester Statesman and you have a classic, high-wheat stalwart set against a classic, high-rye stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond | Old Forester Statesman |
|---|---|---|
| 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) +5 proof | 95 proof (47.5% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$110 – $180 | ~$50 – $55 ~$93 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 Statesman
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Flavor Profile
Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond Old Forester Statesman
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 2/5 spice: Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 2 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10
oak 7/5 oak: Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10
fruit 6/7 fruit: Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 7 out of 10
nuttiness 3/2 nuttiness: Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 2 out of 10
sweetness 8/8 sweetness: Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 8 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 8 out of 10
heat 4/4 heat: Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 4 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 Statesman: Old Forester's fruit-forward middle child, first made for a spy movie tie-in. Bright cherry and brown sugar lead, with cocoa and a touch of the house banana note.
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 Statesman if you want a bright, cherry-sweet Old Forester that sits between the 100 and 1920 in weight at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat (Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Old Forester Statesman).