Compare
Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond vs Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon
Comparing Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond and Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon reveals a matchup between a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple and a modern, wheated craft expression.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond | Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | 75% corn, 15% wheat, 10% malted barley |
| Age | 4 years | 4 years |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) +13 proof | 87 proof (43.5% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$45 – $55 | ~$40 – $45 ~$8 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.
Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon
Didn't care for this one.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 6/2 spice: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10, Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon 2 out of 10
oak 7/4 oak: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10, Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon 4 out of 10
heat 5/3 heat: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon 3 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10, Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon 6 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10, Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon 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.
- Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon: A farm-to-bottle wheater from northern Illinois. Soft red winter wheat keeps it gentle and bready, with caramel and vanilla up front and very little bite at 87 proof.
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 Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon if you want a soft, easygoing wheated bourbon made start to finish on one Midwest farm at a slightly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond); rocks, highball, cocktails (Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon).