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Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond vs Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond
Comparing Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond and Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond 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 | Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 4 years |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$45 – $55 | ~$16 – $22 ~$31 less |
- 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.
Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10, Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10
spice 6/5 spice: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10, Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
oak 7/6 oak: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10, Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10, Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10
heat 5/5 heat: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond 5 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.
- Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond: Arguably the best value in all of bourbon: a bonded 100-proof Kentucky whiskey for under twenty dollars. Straightforward vanilla and caramel with just enough oak, and nothing at all to apologise for.
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.
- Go with Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond if you want a bonded, honest, full-proof Kentucky bourbon for the price of a cocktail.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond).