Compare
Old Forester 1870 Original Batch vs Willett Pot Still Reserve
Comparing Old Forester 1870 Original Batch and Willett Pot Still Reserve reveals a matchup between a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple and a modern, even-keeled craft expression.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 1870 Original Batch | Willett Pot Still Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| 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) | 94 proof (47% ABV) +4 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$45 – $55 | ~$45 – $60 |
- Willett Pot Still Reserve 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.
Willett Pot Still Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 1870 Original Batch Willett Pot Still Reserve
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
nuttiness 2/4 nuttiness: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 2 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 4 out of 10
spice 4/5 spice: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 4 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 5 out of 10
oak 5/6 oak: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 5 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 6 out of 10
heat 3/4 heat: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 3 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 4 out of 10
sweetness 7/7 sweetness: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 7 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 7 out of 10
fruit 6/6 fruit: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 6 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The house grain character is what splits these.
- 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.
- Willett Pot Still Reserve: Famous first for the pot-still-shaped decanter and second for the whiskey, which is a fair ordering. Pleasant, sweet and fruit-leaning, with a good deal of the price attached to the glass.
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 Willett Pot Still Reserve if you want a distinctive bottle on the shelf and an easy, fruit-forward pour inside it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, highball (Old Forester 1870 Original Batch); neat, rocks (Willett Pot Still Reserve).