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Old Forester Statesman vs Ancient Age
On paper Old Forester Statesman and Ancient Age are near neighbours — both high-rye bourbons — so price (~$50 – $55 vs. ~$14 – $18) is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester Statesman | Ancient Age |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | 75% corn, 15% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 95 proof (47.5% ABV) +15 proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$50 – $55 | ~$14 – $18 ~$37 less |
- Ancient Age does not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-10; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Old Forester Statesman
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Ancient Age
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester Statesman Ancient Age
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 8/5 sweetness: Old Forester Statesman 8 out of 10, Ancient Age 5 out of 10
fruit 7/4 fruit: Old Forester Statesman 7 out of 10, Ancient Age 4 out of 10
oak 5/3 oak: Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10, Ancient Age 3 out of 10
heat 4/2 heat: Old Forester Statesman 4 out of 10, Ancient Age 2 out of 10
nuttiness 2/4 nuttiness: Old Forester Statesman 2 out of 10, Ancient Age 4 out of 10
spice 5/4 spice: Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10, Ancient Age 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Sweetness is where these two part ways.
- Old Forester Statesman: Old Forester's fruit-forward middle child, first made for a spy movie tie-in. Bright cherry and brown sugar lead, with cocoa and a touch of the house banana note.
- Ancient Age: The bottom rung of the Buffalo Trace ladder and priced accordingly. Thin and simple at 80 proof, but it is recognisably the Mash Bill #2 recipe and it does its job in a highball without complaint.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Old Forester Statesman if you want a bright, cherry-sweet Old Forester that sits between the 100 and 1920 in weight with more proof behind it.
- Go with Ancient Age if you want the cheapest honest mixer in the lineup and you are not drinking it neat.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Old Forester Statesman); cocktails, highball (Ancient Age).