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Old Forester Statesman vs Four Roses Small Batch
Comparing Old Forester Statesman and Four Roses Small Batch is a closer contest than it looks — both are high-rye bourbons, separated mainly by price (~$50 – $55 vs. ~$32 – $38).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester Statesman | Four Roses Small Batch |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | 75% corn, 20% rye, 5% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 95 proof (47.5% ABV) +5 proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$50 – $55 | ~$32 – $38 ~$18 less |
- 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 Small Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester Statesman Four Roses Small Batch
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 8/6 sweetness: Old Forester Statesman 8 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch 6 out of 10
spice 5/6 spice: Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch 6 out of 10
nuttiness 2/3 nuttiness: Old Forester Statesman 2 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch 3 out of 10
oak 5/5 oak: Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch 5 out of 10
fruit 7/7 fruit: Old Forester Statesman 7 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch 7 out of 10
heat 4/4 heat: Old Forester Statesman 4 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch 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.
- Four Roses Small Batch: Four Roses' yeast strains push this toward fruit and florals rather than wood. Red berry and cinnamon over a light body, with the rye showing up as brightness instead of bite.
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 Small Batch if you want a fruit-and-floral profile that stands apart from the usual caramel-and-oak template at a lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Old Forester Statesman); neat, rocks, cocktails (Four Roses Small Batch).