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Old Forester Statesman vs Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series
Put Old Forester Statesman next to Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series and you have a classic, high-rye stalwart set against a contemporary, corn-forward craft build.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester Statesman | Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 95 proof (47.5% ABV) | 98.9 proof (49.5% ABV) +4 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$50 – $55 ~$10 less | ~$55 – $70 |
- Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series 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.
Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester Statesman Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 8/7 sweetness: Old Forester Statesman 8 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series 7 out of 10
oak 5/6 oak: Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series 6 out of 10
fruit 7/6 fruit: Old Forester Statesman 7 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series 6 out of 10
heat 4/5 heat: Old Forester Statesman 4 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series 5 out of 10
nuttiness 2/3 nuttiness: Old Forester Statesman 2 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series 3 out of 10
spice 5/5 spice: Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series 5 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 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.
- Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series: A blend of Bardstown's own young distillate with older sourced Kentucky whiskey, which is exactly what the name describes. Polished and fruit-leaning, and a clear demonstration that the blending is the skill on show.
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 at a slightly lower price point.
- Go with Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series if you want a well-built modern blend that shows what careful blending does rather than what age alone does.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Old Forester Statesman); neat, rocks (Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series).