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Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond vs Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel
Comparing Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond and Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel reveals a matchup between a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple and a traditional, even-keeled Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond | Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | 4 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) +6 proof | 94 proof (47% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$45 – $55 ~$20 less | ~$60 – $80 |
| 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 Toasted Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 7/9 oak: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10, Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 9 out of 10
nuttiness 3/5 nuttiness: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10, Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 5 out of 10
sweetness 7/8 sweetness: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10, Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 8 out of 10
spice 6/5 spice: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10, Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 5 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 4 out of 10
heat 5/4 heat: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 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.
- Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel: Finished in a second toasted (not charred) barrel, which produces an unmistakable toasted-marshmallow note. Sweet and heavily wooded, and one of the more distinctive finishes any major producer makes.
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 Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel if you want a distinctive toasted-oak, marshmallow-sweet finish you will not find in a standard bourbon.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond); neat, rocks (Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel).