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Old Forester 1870 Original Batch vs Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel
Comparing Old Forester 1870 Original Batch and Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel reveals a matchup between a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple and a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 1870 Original Batch | Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) | 110 proof (55% ABV) +20 proof |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$45 – $55 ~$13 less | ~$55 – $70 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- 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.
Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 1870 Original Batch Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 4/8 spice: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 4 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 8 out of 10
heat 3/7 heat: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 3 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 7 out of 10
oak 5/8 oak: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 5 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 8 out of 10
fruit 6/4 fruit: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 6 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 4 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 7 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 6 out of 10
nuttiness 2/3 nuttiness: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 2 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 3 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.
- Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel: Non-chill-filtered single barrels at 110 proof, and the format that store picks have made a cult of. Concentrated Wild Turkey character with a texture the standard bottlings do not have.
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 at a lower price point and without hunting for it.
- Go with Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel if you want concentrated Wild Turkey character with single-barrel variation and real texture with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, highball (Old Forester 1870 Original Batch); neat, old-fashioned (Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel).