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Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond vs Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series)
Comparing Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond and Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) reveals a matchup between a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple and an uncut, cask-strength bruiser.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond | Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | 4 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 110 proof (55% ABV) +10 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$45 – $55 ~$40 less | ~$80 – $100 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) 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.
Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series)
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series)
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 5/8 heat: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) 8 out of 10
spice 6/7 spice: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10, Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) 7 out of 10
oak 7/8 oak: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10, Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) 8 out of 10
fruit 5/6 fruit: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10, Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) 4 out of 10
sweetness 7/7 sweetness: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10, Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) 7 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land very differently on the palate for heat.
- 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.
- Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series): Barrell blends sourced barrels from multiple states and bottles at cask strength, and the batches differ enormously. At their best they show a tropical fruit note that almost nothing else in bourbon delivers.
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 significantly lower price point.
- Go with Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) if you want an adventurous, cask-strength blend and you accept that each batch is its own animal with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond); neat (Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series)).