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Old Forester 100 Proof vs Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond 7 Year
Put Old Forester 100 Proof next to Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond 7 Year and you have a classic, high-rye stalwart set against a classic, corn-forward stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 100 Proof | Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond 7 Year |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 7 years |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$26 – $32 ~$11 less | ~$35 – $45 |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Old Forester 100 Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond 7 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 100 Proof Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond 7 Year
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
nuttiness 3/5 nuttiness: Old Forester 100 Proof 3 out of 10, Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond 7 Year 5 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Old Forester 100 Proof 7 out of 10, Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond 7 Year 6 out of 10
spice 6/5 spice: Old Forester 100 Proof 6 out of 10, Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond 7 Year 5 out of 10
oak 6/7 oak: Old Forester 100 Proof 6 out of 10, Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond 7 Year 7 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: Old Forester 100 Proof 5 out of 10, Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond 7 Year 4 out of 10
heat 5/5 heat: Old Forester 100 Proof 5 out of 10, Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond 7 Year 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The house grain character is what splits these.
- 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.
- Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond 7 Year: Seven years, bonded, and priced sensibly — the specification sheet reads like something from twenty years ago. Balanced and oak-leaning without ever getting heavy.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Old Forester 100 Proof if you want the best value in the Old Forester range and a superb old-fashioned base.
- Go with Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond 7 Year if you want a bonded, age-stated Kentucky bourbon that gets the fundamentals right for under forty dollars.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Old Forester 100 Proof); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond 7 Year).