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Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond vs Penelope Toasted Series
On paper Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond and Penelope Toasted Series are near neighbours — both high-rye bourbons — so price (~$45 – $55 vs. ~$55 – $70) is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond | Penelope Toasted Series |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley |
| Age | 4 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$45 – $55 ~$13 less | ~$55 – $70 |
- 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.
Penelope Toasted Series
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond Penelope Toasted Series
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 6/5 spice: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 5 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 4 out of 10
sweetness 7/7 sweetness: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 7 out of 10
oak 7/7 oak: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 7 out of 10
heat 5/5 heat: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land close together on every flavor axis — the differences are in texture and proof more than character.
- 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.
- Penelope Toasted Series: Finished in a second, freshly toasted barrel, which pushes it toward toffee, roasted coffee and darker oak. The toast level changes from batch to batch.
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 Penelope Toasted Series if you want a toasty, coffee-and-toffee bourbon from a second-barrel finish with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond); neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Toasted Series).