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Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond vs Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel
Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond and Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel are cut from similar cloth: two takes on high-rye bourbons, where the real difference is proof (100 vs. 110).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond | Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | 4 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 110 proof (55% ABV) +10 proof |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$45 – $55 ~$13 less | ~$55 – $70 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- 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.
Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 6/8 spice: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 8 out of 10
heat 5/7 heat: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 7 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 6 out of 10
oak 7/8 oak: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 8 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The gap between these two is mostly about spice.
- 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.
- Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel: Non-chill-filtered single barrels at 110 proof, and the format that store picks have made a cult of. Concentrated Wild Turkey character with a texture the standard bottlings do not have.
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 Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel if you want concentrated Wild Turkey character with single-barrel variation and real texture with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond); neat, old-fashioned (Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel).