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Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond vs Elijah Craig Barrel Proof
Put Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond next to Elijah Craig Barrel Proof and you have a classic, high-rye stalwart set against a full-proof, unfiltered heavyweight.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond | Elijah Craig Barrel Proof |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | 4 years | 12 years +8 yr |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 124 proof (62% ABV) +24 proof |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$45 – $55 ~$35 less | ~$70 – $100 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- 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.
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond Elijah Craig Barrel Proof
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 5/9 heat: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 9 out of 10
oak 7/9 oak: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 9 out of 10
spice 6/7 spice: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 7 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 4 out of 10
sweetness 7/7 sweetness: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 7 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Proof and heat dominate the difference.
- 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.
- Elijah Craig Barrel Proof: The uncut, unfiltered version of the same 12-year Heaven Hill juice, and the intensity is the whole point. Thick fudge and char with cinnamon heat, a genuinely long finish, and enough proof that water meaningfully changes the glass.
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 Elijah Craig Barrel Proof if you want maximum intensity and oak depth, and you want to control the dilution yourself with an older age statement.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond); neat (Elijah Craig Barrel Proof).