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Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond vs Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea
Comparing Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond and Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea reveals a matchup between a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple and a blender-built, even-keeled bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond | Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | 4 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) +10 proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$45 – $55 ~$28 less | ~$70 – $85 |
- Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea does not publish an official mash bill.
- 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.
Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 6/4 spice: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10, Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea 4 out of 10
heat 5/3 heat: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea 3 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10, Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea 6 out of 10
oak 7/6 oak: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10, Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea 6 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10, Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The gap between these two is mostly about spice.
- 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.
- Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea: Bourbon that spends months rocking in a ship's hold. Each voyage tastes a little different, but expect caramel and dark sugar with a savory, faintly salty edge from the trip.
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 Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea if you want a conversation-piece bourbon with a savory, slightly briny twist from aging at sea.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond); neat, rocks (Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea).