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Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond vs Four Roses Single Barrel
On paper Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond and Four Roses Single Barrel are near neighbours — both high-rye bourbons — so personal preference more than spec is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond | Four Roses Single Barrel |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | 60% corn, 35% rye, 5% malted barley |
| Age | 4 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$45 – $55 | ~$45 – $55 |
- 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.
Four Roses Single Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond Four Roses Single Barrel
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 6/8 spice: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10, Four Roses Single Barrel 8 out of 10
fruit 5/7 fruit: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Four Roses Single Barrel 7 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10, Four Roses Single Barrel 6 out of 10
oak 7/6 oak: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10, Four Roses Single Barrel 6 out of 10
heat 5/6 heat: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Four Roses Single Barrel 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10, Four Roses Single Barrel 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Rye spice is the dividing line here.
- 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.
- Four Roses Single Barrel: The OBSV recipe on its own at 100 proof — the highest-rye mash Four Roses uses, paired with their most floral yeast. Cherry and clove in equal measure, and a genuinely distinctive 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.
- Go with Four Roses Single Barrel if you want the most expressive, spice-and-fruit-forward single recipe in the Four Roses range.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond); neat, old-fashioned (Four Roses Single Barrel).