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Old Forester Statesman vs Penelope Toasted Series
On paper Old Forester Statesman and Penelope Toasted Series are near neighbours — both high-rye bourbons — so proof (95 vs. 100) is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester Statesman | Penelope Toasted Series |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% 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 ~$10 less | ~$55 – $70 |
- 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.
Penelope Toasted Series
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester Statesman Penelope Toasted Series
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 7/4 fruit: Old Forester Statesman 7 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 4 out of 10
oak 5/7 oak: Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 7 out of 10
sweetness 8/7 sweetness: Old Forester Statesman 8 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 7 out of 10
heat 4/5 heat: Old Forester Statesman 4 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 5 out of 10
nuttiness 2/3 nuttiness: Old Forester Statesman 2 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 3 out of 10
spice 5/5 spice: Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The fruit-versus-grain contrast drives this one.
- 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.
- Penelope Toasted Series: Finished in a second, freshly toasted barrel, which pushes it toward toffee, roasted coffee and darker oak. The toast level changes from batch to batch.
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 slightly lower price point.
- Go with Penelope Toasted Series if you want a toasty, coffee-and-toffee bourbon from a second-barrel finish with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Old Forester Statesman); neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Toasted Series).