Compare
Old Forester 1870 Original Batch vs Old Forester Statesman
Comparing Old Forester 1870 Original Batch and Old Forester Statesman is a closer contest than it looks — both are high-rye bourbons, separated mainly by proof (90 vs. 95).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 1870 Original Batch | Old Forester Statesman |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | No age statement |
| Proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) | 95 proof (47.5% ABV) +5 proof |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$45 – $55 | ~$50 – $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 Statesman
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 1870 Original Batch Old Forester Statesman
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 7/8 sweetness: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 7 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 8 out of 10
spice 4/5 spice: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 4 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10
fruit 6/7 fruit: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 6 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 7 out of 10
heat 3/4 heat: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 3 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 4 out of 10
oak 5/5 oak: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 5 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10
nuttiness 2/2 nuttiness: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 2 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 2 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land close together on every flavor axis — the differences are in texture and proof more than character.
- 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 Statesman: Old Forester's fruit-forward middle child, first made for a spy movie tie-in. Bright cherry and brown sugar lead, with cocoa and a touch of the house banana note.
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 Statesman if you want a bright, cherry-sweet Old Forester that sits between the 100 and 1920 in weight.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, highball (Old Forester 1870 Original Batch); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Old Forester Statesman).