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Old Forester 1870 Original Batch vs Horse Soldier Barrel Strength
Comparing Old Forester 1870 Original Batch and Horse Soldier Barrel Strength reveals a matchup between a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple and an uncut, wheated heavyweight.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 1870 Original Batch | Horse Soldier Barrel Strength |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | 70% corn, 20% wheat, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) | 111 proof (55.5% ABV) +21 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$45 – $55 ~$32 less | ~$78 – $85 |
- Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 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.
Horse Soldier Barrel Strength
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Flavor Profile
Old Forester 1870 Original Batch Horse Soldier Barrel Strength
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 3/7 heat: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 3 out of 10, Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 7 out of 10
spice 4/5 spice: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 4 out of 10, Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 5 out of 10
oak 5/6 oak: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 5 out of 10, Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 6 out of 10
fruit 6/5 fruit: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 6 out of 10, Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 5 out of 10
nuttiness 2/3 nuttiness: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 2 out of 10, Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 3 out of 10
sweetness 7/7 sweetness: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 7 out of 10, Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 7 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.
- Horse Soldier Barrel Strength: A barrel-strength wheater from the veteran-founded Horse Soldier brand. Brown sugar and toasted oak lead, baking spice and heat follow, and a splash of water pulls out darker fruit.
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.
- Go with Horse Soldier Barrel Strength if you want a big, barrel-strength wheated bourbon with plenty of brown sugar and warmth with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, highball (Old Forester 1870 Original Batch); neat, old-fashioned (Horse Soldier Barrel Strength).