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Old Forester 100 Proof vs Old Forester 1870 Original Batch
Comparing Old Forester 100 Proof and Old Forester 1870 Original Batch is a closer contest than it looks — both are high-rye bourbons, separated mainly by price (~$26 – $32 vs. ~$45 – $55).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 100 Proof | Old Forester 1870 Original Batch |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) +10 proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$26 – $32 ~$21 less | ~$45 – $55 |
- 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.
Old Forester 1870 Original Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 100 Proof Old Forester 1870 Original Batch
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 6/4 spice: Old Forester 100 Proof 6 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 4 out of 10
heat 5/3 heat: Old Forester 100 Proof 5 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 3 out of 10
oak 6/5 oak: Old Forester 100 Proof 6 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 5 out of 10
fruit 5/6 fruit: Old Forester 100 Proof 5 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/2 nuttiness: Old Forester 100 Proof 3 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 2 out of 10
sweetness 7/7 sweetness: Old Forester 100 Proof 7 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 7 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The gap between these two is mostly about spice.
- 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.
- Old Forester 1870 Original Batch: The first bottle in Old Forester's Whiskey Row Series, recreating the founder's habit of blending barrels from three warehouses. It is the lightest of the series, caramel sweet and easy.
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 Old Forester 1870 Original Batch if you want the gentlest, most easygoing pour in the Whiskey Row Series.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Old Forester 100 Proof); neat, rocks, highball (Old Forester 1870 Original Batch).