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Old Forester 1870 Original Batch vs 1792 Small Batch
Old Forester 1870 Original Batch and 1792 Small Batch are cut from similar cloth: two takes on high-rye bourbons, where the real difference is price (~$45 – $55 vs. ~$26 – $34).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 1870 Original Batch | 1792 Small Batch |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) | 93.7 proof (46.9% ABV) +4 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$45 – $55 | ~$26 – $34 ~$20 less |
- 1792 Small Batch does not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-10; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Old Forester 1870 Original Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
1792 Small Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 1792 Small Batch
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 4/7 spice: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 4 out of 10, 1792 Small Batch 7 out of 10
heat 3/5 heat: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 3 out of 10, 1792 Small Batch 5 out of 10
nuttiness 2/4 nuttiness: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 2 out of 10, 1792 Small Batch 4 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 7 out of 10, 1792 Small Batch 6 out of 10
oak 5/6 oak: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 5 out of 10, 1792 Small Batch 6 out of 10
fruit 6/5 fruit: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 6 out of 10, 1792 Small Batch 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The gap between these two is mostly about spice.
- 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.
- 1792 Small Batch: Barton's flagship and one of the most under-discussed bottles at its price. A high-rye character with cocoa and orange peel, and considerably more going on than the shelf position suggests.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Old Forester 1870 Original Batch if you want the gentlest, most easygoing pour in the Whiskey Row Series.
- Go with 1792 Small Batch if you want an overlooked, spice-forward Kentucky bourbon that punches above its price.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, highball (Old Forester 1870 Original Batch); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (1792 Small Batch).