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Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond vs Larceny Barrel Proof
Put Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond next to Larceny Barrel Proof and you have a classic, high-rye stalwart set against an uncut, high-wheat heavyweight.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond | Larceny Barrel Proof |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | 68% corn, 20% wheat, 12% malted barley |
| Age | 4 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 124 proof (62% ABV) +24 proof |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$45 – $55 ~$13 less | ~$55 – $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.
Larceny Barrel Proof
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Flavor Profile
Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond Larceny Barrel Proof
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 5/9 heat: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Larceny Barrel Proof 9 out of 10
spice 6/3 spice: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10, Larceny Barrel Proof 3 out of 10
sweetness 7/9 sweetness: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10, Larceny Barrel Proof 9 out of 10
oak 7/6 oak: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10, Larceny Barrel Proof 6 out of 10
fruit 5/6 fruit: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Larceny Barrel Proof 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10, Larceny Barrel Proof 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Proof and heat dominate the difference.
- 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.
- Larceny Barrel Proof: The wheated recipe at full barrel strength, and a genuinely dense pour. Thick caramel and baked fruit carry the heat well, and it takes water more gracefully than most bottles at this proof.
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 Larceny Barrel Proof if you want wheated sweetness with barrel-proof concentration, without the Weller price or hunt with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond); neat (Larceny Barrel Proof).