Compare
Old Forester 1870 Original Batch vs Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon
Comparing Old Forester 1870 Original Batch and Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon reveals a matchup between a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple and a modern, wheated craft expression.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 1870 Original Batch | Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | 75% corn, 15% wheat, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 4 years |
| Proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) +3 proof | 87 proof (43.5% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$45 – $55 | ~$40 – $45 ~$8 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.
Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon
Didn't care for this one.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 1870 Original Batch Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 4/2 spice: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 4 out of 10, Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon 2 out of 10
fruit 6/4 fruit: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 6 out of 10, Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon 4 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 7 out of 10, Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon 6 out of 10
oak 5/4 oak: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 5 out of 10, Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon 4 out of 10
nuttiness 2/3 nuttiness: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 2 out of 10, Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon 3 out of 10
heat 3/3 heat: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 3 out of 10, Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon 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.
- Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon: A farm-to-bottle wheater from northern Illinois. Soft red winter wheat keeps it gentle and bready, with caramel and vanilla up front and very little bite at 87 proof.
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 Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon if you want a soft, easygoing wheated bourbon made start to finish on one Midwest farm at a slightly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, highball (Old Forester 1870 Original Batch); rocks, highball, cocktails (Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon).