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Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond vs Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel
Put Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond next to Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel and you have a classic, high-rye stalwart set against a classic, corn-forward stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond | Henry McKenna 10 Year Single 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 | 10 years +6 yr |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$45 – $55 ~$5 less | ~$40 – $70 |
| 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.
Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
nuttiness 3/5 nuttiness: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10, Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel 5 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10, Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel 6 out of 10
spice 6/5 spice: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10, Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel 5 out of 10
oak 7/8 oak: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10, Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel 8 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel 4 out of 10
heat 5/5 heat: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Nutty, grain-driven character is the divider.
- 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.
- Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel: A ten-year bonded single barrel, which is a specification almost nothing else on the shelf matches. Dry and oak-forward with real age showing, though barrel variation means bottles differ more than most.
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 Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel if you want a bonded, ten-year single barrel with genuine age at a sane price.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond); neat, rocks (Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel).