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Old Forester Statesman vs Jim Beam Black
Old Forester Statesman and Jim Beam Black are cut from similar cloth: two takes on high-rye bourbons, where the real difference is price (~$50 – $55 vs. ~$22 – $28).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester Statesman | Jim Beam Black |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 7 years |
| Proof | 95 proof (47.5% ABV) +9 proof | 86 proof (43% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$50 – $55 | ~$22 – $28 ~$28 less |
- Jim Beam Black 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.
Jim Beam Black
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester Statesman Jim Beam Black
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 7/3 fruit: Old Forester Statesman 7 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 3 out of 10
nuttiness 2/6 nuttiness: Old Forester Statesman 2 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 6 out of 10
sweetness 8/6 sweetness: Old Forester Statesman 8 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 6 out of 10
spice 5/4 spice: Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 4 out of 10
oak 5/6 oak: Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 6 out of 10
heat 4/3 heat: Old Forester Statesman 4 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Fruit character is what sets these apart.
- 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.
- Jim Beam Black: The extra-aged version of the white label and a considerable step up for a few dollars more. Softer and rounder than Knob Creek with the same family peanut note, at a proof that keeps everything gentle.
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 slightly more proof behind it.
- Go with Jim Beam Black if you want the Beam house character at its most affordable and easy-going.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Old Forester Statesman); neat, rocks, cocktails (Jim Beam Black).