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Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond vs Barrell Foundation Bourbon
Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond and Barrell Foundation Bourbon are cut from similar cloth: two takes on high-rye bourbons, where the real difference is price (~$45 – $55 vs. ~$50 – $60).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond | Barrell Foundation Bourbon |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | 73% corn, 23% rye, 4% malted barley |
| Age | 4 years | 5 years +1 yr |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$45 – $55 ~$5 less | ~$50 – $60 |
- Barrell Foundation Bourbon 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 Foundation Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond Barrell Foundation Bourbon
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10, Barrell Foundation Bourbon 6 out of 10
oak 7/6 oak: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10, Barrell Foundation Bourbon 6 out of 10
spice 6/6 spice: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10, Barrell Foundation Bourbon 6 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Barrell Foundation Bourbon 5 out of 10
heat 5/5 heat: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Barrell Foundation Bourbon 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10, Barrell Foundation Bourbon 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land close together on every flavor axis — the differences are in texture and proof more than character.
- 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 Foundation Bourbon: Barrell's everyday bottle: a multi-state blend proofed down to 100 instead of bottled at cask strength. Creamy cake and vanilla up front, then a dry, rye-driven peppery finish.
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 slightly lower price point.
- Go with Barrell Foundation Bourbon if you want an approachable, 100-proof Barrell blend that still shows off multi-state blending with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Barrell Foundation Bourbon).