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Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond vs W.L. Weller Full Proof
Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond and W.L. Weller Full Proof sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an old-guard, rye-forward classic versus an old-guard, wheat-forward classic.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond | W.L. Weller Full Proof |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | 4 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 114 proof (57% ABV) +14 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$45 – $55 ~$35 less | ~$50 – $120 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Allocated |
- W.L. Weller Full Proof 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.
W.L. Weller Full Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond W.L. Weller Full Proof
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 6/3 spice: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10, W.L. Weller Full Proof 3 out of 10
heat 5/7 heat: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, W.L. Weller Full Proof 7 out of 10
sweetness 7/8 sweetness: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10, W.L. Weller Full Proof 8 out of 10
oak 7/6 oak: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10, W.L. Weller Full Proof 6 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, W.L. Weller Full Proof 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10, W.L. Weller Full Proof 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.
- W.L. Weller Full Proof: Weller's wheated bourbon bottled at its barrel-entry proof of 114, without chill filtering. Coffee cake, caramel and cinnamon with a bold, warming body.
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 significantly lower price point.
- Go with W.L. Weller Full Proof if you want a bold, sweet wheater bottled at barrel-entry proof with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (W.L. Weller Full Proof).