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Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond vs Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon
Comparing Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond and Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon reveals a matchup between a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple and a modern, wheated craft expression.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond | Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | 70% corn, 5% rye, 25% wheat |
| Age | 4 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) +10 proof | 90 proof (45% 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.
Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon
Didn't care for this one.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 7/4 oak: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10, Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon 4 out of 10
spice 6/4 spice: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10, Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon 4 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10, Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon 6 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/2 nuttiness: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10, Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon 2 out of 10
heat 5/5 heat: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- 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.
- Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon: An organic, wheat-heavy bourbon from a Michigan craft distillery. It stays round and caramel sweet on the palate with a peppery edge, while the nose is quiet and still a little young.
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 Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon if you want an organic, Midwest craft wheater with a round, caramel-forward body.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond); rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon).