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Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond vs Woodford Reserve
On paper Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond and Woodford Reserve are near neighbours — both high-rye bourbons — so proof (100 vs. 90.4) is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond | Woodford Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | 4 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) +10 proof | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$45 – $55 | ~$35 – $42 ~$12 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.
Woodford Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond Woodford Reserve
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10
oak 7/6 oak: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10
fruit 5/6 fruit: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10
heat 5/4 heat: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 4 out of 10
spice 6/6 spice: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land close together on every flavor axis — the differences are in texture and proof more than character.
- 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.
- Woodford Reserve: The most widely poured premium bourbon in America, and a genuinely well-made one. Dried fruit and cocoa over a balanced 18% rye mash, finished smooth enough to please almost anyone.
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 slightly more proof behind it.
- Go with Woodford Reserve if you want a polished, widely available crowd-pleaser that never puts a foot wrong at a slightly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Woodford Reserve).