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Old Forester Statesman vs Old Forester 100 Proof
Old Forester Statesman and Old Forester 100 Proof are cut from similar cloth: two takes on high-rye bourbons, where the real difference is price (~$50 – $55 vs. ~$26 – $32).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester Statesman | Old Forester 100 Proof |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% 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 | ~$26 – $32 ~$24 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.
Old Forester 100 Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester Statesman Old Forester 100 Proof
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 7/5 fruit: Old Forester Statesman 7 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 5 out of 10
sweetness 8/7 sweetness: Old Forester Statesman 8 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 7 out of 10
spice 5/6 spice: Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 6 out of 10
oak 5/6 oak: Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 6 out of 10
heat 4/5 heat: Old Forester Statesman 4 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 5 out of 10
nuttiness 2/3 nuttiness: Old Forester Statesman 2 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 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.
- Old Forester 100 Proof: The bottle most people should buy from this range: the same recipe as the 86 with enough proof to actually taste it. One of the strongest arguments on the shelf for spending six dollars more.
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 Old Forester 100 Proof if you want the best value in the Old Forester range and a superb old-fashioned base.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Old Forester Statesman); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Old Forester 100 Proof).