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Old Forester 100 Proof vs Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond
Old Forester 100 Proof and Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an old-guard, rye-forward classic versus an old-guard, classically built classic.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 100 Proof | Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | 4 years |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$26 – $32 | ~$16 – $22 ~$10 less |
- Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond does not publish an official mash bill.
- 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.
Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 100 Proof Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Old Forester 100 Proof 7 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10
spice 6/5 spice: Old Forester 100 Proof 6 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
oak 6/5 oak: Old Forester 100 Proof 6 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: Old Forester 100 Proof 5 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Old Forester 100 Proof 3 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10
heat 5/5 heat: Old Forester 100 Proof 5 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land close together on every flavor axis — the differences are in texture and proof more than character.
- 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.
- Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond: A bonded 100-proof bourbon at a price that barely seems possible, though distribution is patchy outside Kentucky. Unremarkable in the best way: it does everything a bourbon should and nothing extra.
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 Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond if you want a bonded Kentucky bourbon for under twenty dollars, if you can find it in your state.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Old Forester 100 Proof); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond).