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Old Forester 1870 Original Batch vs Redemption Bourbon
On paper Old Forester 1870 Original Batch and Redemption Bourbon are near neighbours — both high-rye bourbons — so price (~$45 – $55 vs. ~$25 – $32) is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 1870 Original Batch | Redemption Bourbon |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) +6 proof | 84 proof (42% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$45 – $55 | ~$25 – $32 ~$22 less |
- 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.
Redemption Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 1870 Original Batch Redemption Bourbon
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 4/7 spice: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 4 out of 10, Redemption Bourbon 7 out of 10
sweetness 7/5 sweetness: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 7 out of 10, Redemption Bourbon 5 out of 10
oak 5/4 oak: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 5 out of 10, Redemption Bourbon 4 out of 10
fruit 6/5 fruit: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 6 out of 10, Redemption Bourbon 5 out of 10
nuttiness 2/3 nuttiness: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 2 out of 10, Redemption Bourbon 3 out of 10
heat 3/3 heat: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 3 out of 10, Redemption Bourbon 3 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.
- Redemption Bourbon: Straightforward sourced MGP at a modest proof, and about as clear a reference sample of the high-rye MGP profile as you can buy. Thin neat, but a reliable and inexpensive cocktail base.
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 with slightly more proof behind it.
- Go with Redemption Bourbon if you want an inexpensive, unambiguous example of the MGP high-rye style for mixing at a lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, highball (Old Forester 1870 Original Batch); old-fashioned, cocktails, highball (Redemption Bourbon).