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Old Forester 1870 Original Batch vs Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series)
Old Forester 1870 Original Batch and Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an old-guard, rye-forward classic versus an undiluted barrel-strength pour.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 1870 Original Batch | Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) | 110 proof (55% ABV) +20 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$45 – $55 ~$40 less | ~$80 – $100 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) 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.
Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series)
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 1870 Original Batch Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series)
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 3/8 heat: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 3 out of 10, Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) 8 out of 10
spice 4/7 spice: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 4 out of 10, Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) 7 out of 10
oak 5/8 oak: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 5 out of 10, Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) 8 out of 10
nuttiness 2/4 nuttiness: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 2 out of 10, Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) 4 out of 10
sweetness 7/7 sweetness: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 7 out of 10, Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) 7 out of 10
fruit 6/6 fruit: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 6 out of 10, Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land very differently on the palate for heat.
- 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.
- Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series): Barrell blends sourced barrels from multiple states and bottles at cask strength, and the batches differ enormously. At their best they show a tropical fruit note that almost nothing else in bourbon delivers.
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 at a significantly lower price point and without hunting for it.
- Go with Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) if you want an adventurous, cask-strength blend and you accept that each batch is its own animal with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, highball (Old Forester 1870 Original Batch); neat (Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series)).