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Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond vs Wild Turkey Rare Breed
Comparing Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond and Wild Turkey Rare Breed reveals a matchup between a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple and an uncut, spice-driven heavyweight.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond | Wild Turkey Rare Breed |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| 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) | 116 proof (58% ABV) +16 proof |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$45 – $55 | ~$45 – $55 |
- 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.
Wild Turkey Rare Breed
Good flavor.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond Wild Turkey Rare Breed
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 5/8 heat: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Wild Turkey Rare Breed 8 out of 10
spice 6/8 spice: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10, Wild Turkey Rare Breed 8 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10, Wild Turkey Rare Breed 6 out of 10
oak 7/8 oak: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10, Wild Turkey Rare Breed 8 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Wild Turkey Rare Breed 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10, Wild Turkey Rare Breed 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land very differently on the palate for heat.
- 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.
- Wild Turkey Rare Breed: Barrel-proof Wild Turkey at a price that still looks like a mistake. Everything the 101 does with considerably more force, and one of the most consistently praised bottles in its category.
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 Wild Turkey Rare Breed if you want barrel-proof spice and oak with a reputation to match, at half what comparable bottles cost with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond); neat, old-fashioned (Wild Turkey Rare Breed).