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Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond vs Rowan's Creek
Comparing Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond and Rowan's Creek reveals a matchup between a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple and a traditional, even-keeled Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond | Rowan's Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | 4 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 100.1 proof (50.0% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$45 – $55 | ~$40 – $50 ~$5 less |
- Rowan's Creek 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.
Rowan's Creek
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond Rowan's Creek
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 7/4 oak: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10, Rowan's Creek 4 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10, Rowan's Creek 6 out of 10
spice 6/7 spice: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10, Rowan's Creek 7 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Rowan's Creek 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/2 nuttiness: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10, Rowan's Creek 2 out of 10
heat 5/5 heat: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Rowan's Creek 5 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.
- Rowan's Creek: A small-batch Willett bottling that tastes rye-forward and herbal. Honey and caramel sit under mint, hay and warm spice, with a peppermint lift on the 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.
- Go with Rowan's Creek if you want an herbal, minty, rye-forward Willett bottling at a slightly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond); neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Rowan's Creek).