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Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond vs Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon
Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond and Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an old-guard, rye-forward classic versus a blender-built, wheat-forward bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond | Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | 72% corn, 18% wheat, 10% malted barley |
| Age | 4 years | 5 years +1 yr |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$45 – $55 | ~$49 – $55 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon 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.
Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 5/3 fruit: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon 3 out of 10
nuttiness 3/5 nuttiness: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10, Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon 5 out of 10
spice 6/5 spice: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10, Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon 5 out of 10
oak 7/6 oak: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10, Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon 6 out of 10
sweetness 7/7 sweetness: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10, Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon 7 out of 10
heat 5/5 heat: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Fruit character is what sets these apart.
- 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.
- Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon: A Notre Dame-licensed wheater given a second, double-oaked barrel. Maple, honey butter and toasted nuts lead, with charred wood and pepper on a long, warm finish.
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 without hunting for it.
- Go with Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon if you want a double-oaked wheater with maple, toasted nuts and charred wood.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond); neat, old-fashioned (Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon).