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Old Forester Statesman vs Kentucky Owl Batch 12
Put Old Forester Statesman next to Kentucky Owl Batch 12 and you have a classic, high-rye stalwart set against a full-proof, unfiltered heavyweight.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester Statesman | Kentucky Owl Batch 12 |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| 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) | 115.8 proof (57.9% ABV) +21 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$50 – $55 ~$298 less | ~$300 – $400 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- Kentucky Owl Batch 12 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.
Kentucky Owl Batch 12
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester Statesman Kentucky Owl Batch 12
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 5/8 oak: Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10, Kentucky Owl Batch 12 8 out of 10
fruit 7/4 fruit: Old Forester Statesman 7 out of 10, Kentucky Owl Batch 12 4 out of 10
heat 4/7 heat: Old Forester Statesman 4 out of 10, Kentucky Owl Batch 12 7 out of 10
sweetness 8/6 sweetness: Old Forester Statesman 8 out of 10, Kentucky Owl Batch 12 6 out of 10
spice 5/7 spice: Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10, Kentucky Owl Batch 12 7 out of 10
nuttiness 2/3 nuttiness: Old Forester Statesman 2 out of 10, Kentucky Owl Batch 12 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- 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.
- Kentucky Owl Batch 12: A high-end blend of young and older sourced Kentucky bourbons. Leather, smoky oak and caramel, with a peppery, spice-forward palate.
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 significantly lower price point.
- Go with Kentucky Owl Batch 12 if you want a spicy, leathery, high-end blended bourbon with more proof behind it and with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Old Forester Statesman); neat (Kentucky Owl Batch 12).