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Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond vs Old Forester Statesman
On paper Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond and Old Forester Statesman are near neighbours — both high-rye bourbons — so proof (100 vs. 95) is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond | Old Forester Statesman |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | 4 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) +5 proof | 95 proof (47.5% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$45 – $55 | ~$50 – $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.
Old Forester Statesman
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond Old Forester Statesman
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 7/5 oak: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10
fruit 5/7 fruit: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 7 out of 10
sweetness 7/8 sweetness: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 8 out of 10
spice 6/5 spice: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10
heat 5/4 heat: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/2 nuttiness: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 2 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Oak is doing most of the differentiating here.
- 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.
- Old Forester Statesman: Old Forester's fruit-forward middle child, first made for a spy movie tie-in. Bright cherry and brown sugar lead, with cocoa and a touch of the house banana note.
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.
- Go with Old Forester Statesman if you want a bright, cherry-sweet Old Forester that sits between the 100 and 1920 in weight.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Old Forester Statesman).