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Old Forester 1870 Original Batch vs Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
On paper Old Forester 1870 Original Batch and Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond are near neighbours — both high-rye bourbons — so proof (90 vs. 100) is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 1870 Original Batch | Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 4 years |
| Proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +10 proof |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$45 – $55 | ~$45 – $55 |
- 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 Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 1870 Original Batch Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 4/6 spice: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 4 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10
oak 5/7 oak: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 5 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10
heat 3/5 heat: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 3 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
fruit 6/5 fruit: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 6 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
nuttiness 2/3 nuttiness: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 2 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10
sweetness 7/7 sweetness: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 7 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 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 Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond: The bonded entry in the Whiskey Row series and a noticeable step up in density from the standard 100. More oak and more weight, though the price gap to the 100 proof is harder to justify than the flavour gap suggests.
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 Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond if you want a bonded, denser take on the Old Forester profile with more barrel behind it with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, highball (Old Forester 1870 Original Batch); neat, old-fashioned (Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond).