Compare
Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond vs Baker’s 7 Year
On paper Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond and Baker’s 7 Year are near neighbours — both high-rye bourbons — so age (4 years vs. 7 years) is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond | Baker’s 7 Year |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | 4 years | 7 years +3 yr |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 107 proof (53.5% ABV) +7 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$45 – $55 ~$13 less | ~$55 – $70 |
- Baker’s 7 Year 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.
Baker’s 7 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond Baker’s 7 Year
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
nuttiness 3/7 nuttiness: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10, Baker’s 7 Year 7 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10, Baker’s 7 Year 6 out of 10
spice 6/5 spice: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10, Baker’s 7 Year 5 out of 10
heat 5/6 heat: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Baker’s 7 Year 6 out of 10
oak 7/7 oak: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10, Baker’s 7 Year 7 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Baker’s 7 Year 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Nutty, grain-driven character is the divider.
- 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.
- Baker’s 7 Year: The gentlest of the Beam small-batch collection despite its 107 proof, thanks to an unusually creamy texture. The peanut note is present but softened, sitting under vanilla and light fruit.
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 at a lower price point.
- Go with Baker’s 7 Year if you want the Beam character in its smoothest, creamiest form at a real proof point with an older age statement.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond); neat, rocks (Baker’s 7 Year).