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Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond vs Jim Beam Black
On paper Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond and Jim Beam Black are near neighbours — both high-rye bourbons — so proof (100 vs. 86) is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond | Jim Beam Black |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | 4 years | 7 years +3 yr |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) +14 proof | 86 proof (43% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$45 – $55 | ~$22 – $28 ~$25 less |
- Jim Beam Black 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.
Jim Beam Black
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond Jim Beam Black
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
nuttiness 3/6 nuttiness: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 6 out of 10
spice 6/4 spice: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 4 out of 10
fruit 5/3 fruit: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 3 out of 10
heat 5/3 heat: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 3 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 6 out of 10
oak 7/6 oak: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 6 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.
- Jim Beam Black: The extra-aged version of the white label and a considerable step up for a few dollars more. Softer and rounder than Knob Creek with the same family peanut note, at a proof that keeps everything gentle.
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 with more proof behind it.
- Go with Jim Beam Black if you want the Beam house character at its most affordable and easy-going with an older age statement.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond); neat, rocks, cocktails (Jim Beam Black).