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Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond vs Redemption Bourbon
On paper Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond and Redemption Bourbon are near neighbours — both high-rye bourbons — so proof (100 vs. 84) is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond | Redemption Bourbon |
|---|---|---|
| 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) +16 proof | 84 proof (42% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$45 – $55 | ~$25 – $32 ~$22 less |
- 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.
Redemption Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond Redemption Bourbon
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 7/4 oak: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10, Redemption Bourbon 4 out of 10
sweetness 7/5 sweetness: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10, Redemption Bourbon 5 out of 10
heat 5/3 heat: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Redemption Bourbon 3 out of 10
spice 6/7 spice: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10, Redemption Bourbon 7 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Redemption Bourbon 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10, Redemption Bourbon 3 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.
- Redemption Bourbon: Straightforward sourced MGP at a modest proof, and about as clear a reference sample of the high-rye MGP profile as you can buy. Thin neat, but a reliable and inexpensive cocktail base.
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 Redemption Bourbon if you want an inexpensive, unambiguous example of the MGP high-rye style for mixing at a lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond); old-fashioned, cocktails, highball (Redemption Bourbon).