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Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond vs Zackariah Harris
Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond and Zackariah Harris sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an old-guard, rye-forward classic versus a blender-built, classically built bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond | Zackariah Harris |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | 4 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) +20 proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$45 – $55 | ~$13 – $22 ~$33 less |
- Zackariah Harris 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.
Zackariah Harris
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond Zackariah Harris
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 7/3 oak: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10, Zackariah Harris 3 out of 10
spice 6/3 spice: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10, Zackariah Harris 3 out of 10
fruit 5/2 fruit: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Zackariah Harris 2 out of 10
sweetness 7/5 sweetness: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10, Zackariah Harris 5 out of 10
heat 5/3 heat: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Zackariah Harris 3 out of 10
nuttiness 3/2 nuttiness: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10, Zackariah Harris 2 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- 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.
- Zackariah Harris: A bottom-shelf Kentucky straight bourbon, mostly sold in liters and handles. Simple caramel and oak with a short, warm finish.
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 Zackariah Harris if you want a simple Kentucky bourbon for mixing at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond); highball, cocktails (Zackariah Harris).