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Old Forester 1870 Original Batch vs Stellum Bourbon
Put Old Forester 1870 Original Batch next to Stellum Bourbon and you have a classic, high-rye stalwart set against a full-proof, unfiltered heavyweight.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 1870 Original Batch | Stellum Bourbon |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) | 115 proof (57.5% ABV) +25 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$45 – $55 | ~$45 – $55 |
- Stellum Bourbon 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.
Stellum Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 1870 Original Batch Stellum Bourbon
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 3/7 heat: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 3 out of 10, Stellum Bourbon 7 out of 10
spice 4/7 spice: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 4 out of 10, Stellum Bourbon 7 out of 10
fruit 6/4 fruit: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 6 out of 10, Stellum Bourbon 4 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 7 out of 10, Stellum Bourbon 6 out of 10
oak 5/6 oak: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 5 out of 10, Stellum Bourbon 6 out of 10
nuttiness 2/3 nuttiness: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 2 out of 10, Stellum Bourbon 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Proof and heat dominate the difference.
- 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.
- Stellum Bourbon: Barrell's lower-priced, cask-strength line. It drinks gentler than its proof, with vanilla and caramel on top of cinnamon, clove and a long, spicy 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 Stellum Bourbon if you want a cask-strength, multi-state blend that drinks easier than its proof with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, highball (Old Forester 1870 Original Batch); neat, old-fashioned (Stellum Bourbon).