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Old Forester 1870 Original Batch vs Rebel 100
Put Old Forester 1870 Original Batch next to Rebel 100 and you have a classic, high-rye stalwart set against a blender-built, high-wheat bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 1870 Original Batch | Rebel 100 |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | 68% corn, 20% wheat, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +10 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$45 – $55 | ~$20 – $25 ~$28 less |
- Rebel 100 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.
Rebel 100
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 1870 Original Batch Rebel 100
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 4/2 spice: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 4 out of 10, Rebel 100 2 out of 10
fruit 6/4 fruit: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 6 out of 10, Rebel 100 4 out of 10
heat 3/5 heat: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 3 out of 10, Rebel 100 5 out of 10
oak 5/4 oak: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 5 out of 10, Rebel 100 4 out of 10
nuttiness 2/3 nuttiness: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 2 out of 10, Rebel 100 3 out of 10
sweetness 7/7 sweetness: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 7 out of 10, Rebel 100 7 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The gap between these two is mostly about spice.
- 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.
- Rebel 100: A budget wheater at a useful proof. Sweet vanilla, honey and caramel with soft bread notes and very little rye bite.
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 Rebel 100 if you want a sweet, 100-proof wheater for mixing and easy sipping at a lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, highball (Old Forester 1870 Original Batch); rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Rebel 100).