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Old Forester Statesman vs Four Roses Single Barrel
Old Forester Statesman and Four Roses Single Barrel are cut from similar cloth: two takes on high-rye bourbons, where the real difference is proof (95 vs. 100).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester Statesman | Four Roses Single Barrel |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | 60% corn, 35% rye, 5% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 95 proof (47.5% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +5 proof |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$50 – $55 | ~$45 – $55 |
- 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.
Four Roses Single Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester Statesman Four Roses Single Barrel
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 5/8 spice: Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10, Four Roses Single Barrel 8 out of 10
sweetness 8/6 sweetness: Old Forester Statesman 8 out of 10, Four Roses Single Barrel 6 out of 10
heat 4/6 heat: Old Forester Statesman 4 out of 10, Four Roses Single Barrel 6 out of 10
oak 5/6 oak: Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10, Four Roses Single Barrel 6 out of 10
nuttiness 2/3 nuttiness: Old Forester Statesman 2 out of 10, Four Roses Single Barrel 3 out of 10
fruit 7/7 fruit: Old Forester Statesman 7 out of 10, Four Roses Single Barrel 7 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Rye spice is the dividing line here.
- 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.
- Four Roses Single Barrel: The OBSV recipe on its own at 100 proof — the highest-rye mash Four Roses uses, paired with their most floral yeast. Cherry and clove in equal measure, and a genuinely distinctive glass.
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.
- Go with Four Roses Single Barrel if you want the most expressive, spice-and-fruit-forward single recipe in the Four Roses range.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Old Forester Statesman); neat, old-fashioned (Four Roses Single Barrel).