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Old Forester 1870 Original Batch vs Evan Williams Black Label
Put Old Forester 1870 Original Batch next to Evan Williams Black Label and you have a classic, high-rye stalwart set against a classic, corn-forward stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 1870 Original Batch | Evan Williams Black Label |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | No age statement |
| Proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) +4 proof | 86 proof (43% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$45 – $55 | ~$14 – $18 ~$34 less |
- 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.
Evan Williams Black Label
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 1870 Original Batch Evan Williams Black Label
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 6/4 fruit: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 6 out of 10, Evan Williams Black Label 4 out of 10
nuttiness 2/4 nuttiness: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 2 out of 10, Evan Williams Black Label 4 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 7 out of 10, Evan Williams Black Label 6 out of 10
spice 4/4 spice: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 4 out of 10, Evan Williams Black Label 4 out of 10
oak 5/5 oak: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 5 out of 10, Evan Williams Black Label 5 out of 10
heat 3/3 heat: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 3 out of 10, Evan Williams Black Label 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The fruit-versus-grain contrast drives this one.
- 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.
- Evan Williams Black Label: The everyday black label, and a perfectly competent well bourbon. Softer and sweeter than the bonded version, with less to say but nothing objectionable.
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 Evan Williams Black Label if you want a dependable, inexpensive mixing bourbon and nothing more complicated than that at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, highball (Old Forester 1870 Original Batch); cocktails, highball, rocks (Evan Williams Black Label).