Compare
Old Forester 1870 Original Batch vs Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond
Put Old Forester 1870 Original Batch next to Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond and you have a classic, high-rye stalwart set against a classic, corn-forward stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 1870 Original Batch | Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | 4 years |
| Proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +10 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$45 – $55 | ~$16 – $22 ~$31 less |
- Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 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.
Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 1870 Original Batch Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 6/4 fruit: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 6 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10
heat 3/5 heat: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 3 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
nuttiness 2/4 nuttiness: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 2 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 7 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10
spice 4/5 spice: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 4 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
oak 5/5 oak: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 5 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Fruit character is what sets these apart.
- 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.
- Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond: A bonded 100-proof bourbon at a price that barely seems possible, though distribution is patchy outside Kentucky. Unremarkable in the best way: it does everything a bourbon should and nothing extra.
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 Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond if you want a bonded Kentucky bourbon for under twenty dollars, if you can find it in your state with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, highball (Old Forester 1870 Original Batch); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond).