Compare
Old Forester 1870 Original Batch vs Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond
Put Old Forester 1870 Original Batch next to Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond and you have a classic, high-rye stalwart set against a classic, high-wheat stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 1870 Original Batch | Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | 68% corn, 20% wheat, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 9 years |
| Proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +10 proof |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$45 – $55 ~$95 less | ~$110 – $180 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Allocated |
- 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.
Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 1870 Original Batch Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 4/2 spice: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 4 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 2 out of 10
oak 5/7 oak: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 5 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10
sweetness 7/8 sweetness: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 7 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 8 out of 10
heat 3/4 heat: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 3 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10
nuttiness 2/3 nuttiness: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 2 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10
fruit 6/6 fruit: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 6 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Rye spice is the dividing line here.
- 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.
- Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond: The decanter series, released twice a year at varying ages, and Heaven Hill's most serious wheated statement. Age shows as polished oak and stewed fruit rather than tannin, but you pay handsomely for the 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 at a significantly lower price point and without hunting for it.
- Go with Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond if you want an aged, bonded wheater in a presentation bottle and the price is not the obstacle with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, highball (Old Forester 1870 Original Batch); neat (Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond).