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Old Forester 1870 Original Batch vs Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond Double Mash
Comparing Old Forester 1870 Original Batch and Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond Double Mash reveals a matchup between a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple and a traditional, even-keeled Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 1870 Original Batch | Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond Double Mash |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | 75% corn, 7% rye, 6% wheat, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 9 years |
| Proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +10 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$45 – $55 | ~$50 – $55 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond Double Mash 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.
Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond Double Mash
Very good. Flavorful without being too powerful.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 1870 Original Batch Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond Double Mash
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
nuttiness 2/6 nuttiness: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 2 out of 10, Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond Double Mash 6 out of 10
oak 5/7 oak: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 5 out of 10, Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond Double Mash 7 out of 10
heat 3/5 heat: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 3 out of 10, Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond Double Mash 5 out of 10
spice 4/5 spice: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 4 out of 10, Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond Double Mash 5 out of 10
fruit 6/5 fruit: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 6 out of 10, Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond Double Mash 5 out of 10
sweetness 7/7 sweetness: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 7 out of 10, Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond Double Mash 7 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Nutty, grain-driven character is the divider.
- 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.
- Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond Double Mash: Nine-year Heaven Hill in two flavors at once: the classic rye recipe brings structure and nutty oak, while a third of wheated bourbon rounds off the edges. It drinks fuller and softer than the standard bonded bottle.
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 without hunting for it.
- Go with Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond Double Mash if you want a well-aged bonded bourbon that blends Heaven Hill's rye and wheat recipes into one balanced pour with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, highball (Old Forester 1870 Original Batch); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond Double Mash).