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Old Forester 1870 Original Batch vs Jim Beam Black
Comparing Old Forester 1870 Original Batch and Jim Beam Black is a closer contest than it looks — both are high-rye bourbons, separated mainly by price (~$45 – $55 vs. ~$22 – $28).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 1870 Original Batch | Jim Beam Black |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 7 years |
| Proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) +4 proof | 86 proof (43% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$45 – $55 | ~$22 – $28 ~$25 less |
- Jim Beam Black 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.
Jim Beam Black
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 1870 Original Batch Jim Beam Black
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
nuttiness 2/6 nuttiness: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 2 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 6 out of 10
fruit 6/3 fruit: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 6 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 3 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 7 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 6 out of 10
oak 5/6 oak: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 5 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 6 out of 10
spice 4/4 spice: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 4 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 4 out of 10
heat 3/3 heat: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 3 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 3 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.
- Jim Beam Black: The extra-aged version of the white label and a considerable step up for a few dollars more. Softer and rounder than Knob Creek with the same family peanut note, at a proof that keeps everything gentle.
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 Jim Beam Black if you want the Beam house character at its most affordable and easy-going.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, highball (Old Forester 1870 Original Batch); neat, rocks, cocktails (Jim Beam Black).