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Old Forester 1870 Original Batch vs Rowan's Creek
Put Old Forester 1870 Original Batch next to Rowan's Creek and you have a classic, high-rye stalwart set against a classic, corn-forward stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 1870 Original Batch | Rowan's Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) | 100.1 proof (50.0% ABV) +10 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$45 – $55 | ~$40 – $50 ~$5 less |
- Rowan's Creek 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.
Rowan's Creek
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 1870 Original Batch Rowan's Creek
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 4/7 spice: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 4 out of 10, Rowan's Creek 7 out of 10
fruit 6/4 fruit: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 6 out of 10, Rowan's Creek 4 out of 10
heat 3/5 heat: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 3 out of 10, Rowan's Creek 5 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 7 out of 10, Rowan's Creek 6 out of 10
oak 5/4 oak: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 5 out of 10, Rowan's Creek 4 out of 10
nuttiness 2/2 nuttiness: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 2 out of 10, Rowan's Creek 2 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.
- Rowan's Creek: A small-batch Willett bottling that tastes rye-forward and herbal. Honey and caramel sit under mint, hay and warm spice, with a peppermint lift on the finish.
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 Rowan's Creek if you want an herbal, minty, rye-forward Willett bottling at a slightly lower price point and with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, highball (Old Forester 1870 Original Batch); neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Rowan's Creek).