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Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond vs Ancient Age
Put Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond next to Ancient Age and you have a classic, high-rye stalwart set against a classic, high-rye stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond | Ancient Age |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | 75% corn, 15% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | 4 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) +20 proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$45 – $55 | ~$14 – $18 ~$34 less |
- Ancient Age does not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Ancient Age
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond Ancient Age
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 7/3 oak: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10, Ancient Age 3 out of 10
heat 5/2 heat: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Ancient Age 2 out of 10
sweetness 7/5 sweetness: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10, Ancient Age 5 out of 10
spice 6/4 spice: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10, Ancient Age 4 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Ancient Age 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10, Ancient Age 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond: The bonded entry in the Whiskey Row series and a noticeable step up in density from the standard 100. More oak and more weight, though the price gap to the 100 proof is harder to justify than the flavour gap suggests.
- Ancient Age: The bottom rung of the Buffalo Trace ladder and priced accordingly. Thin and simple at 80 proof, but it is recognisably the Mash Bill #2 recipe and it does its job in a highball without complaint.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond if you want a bonded, denser take on the Old Forester profile with more barrel behind it with more proof behind it.
- Go with Ancient Age if you want the cheapest honest mixer in the lineup and you are not drinking it neat.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond); cocktails, highball (Ancient Age).