Compare
Old Forester Statesman vs Willett Pot Still Reserve
Put Old Forester Statesman next to Willett Pot Still Reserve and you have a classic, high-rye stalwart set against a contemporary, corn-forward craft build.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester Statesman | Willett Pot Still Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| 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) | 94 proof (47% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$50 – $55 | ~$45 – $60 |
- Willett Pot Still Reserve 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.
Willett Pot Still Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester Statesman Willett Pot Still Reserve
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
nuttiness 2/4 nuttiness: Old Forester Statesman 2 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 4 out of 10
sweetness 8/7 sweetness: Old Forester Statesman 8 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 7 out of 10
oak 5/6 oak: Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 6 out of 10
fruit 7/6 fruit: Old Forester Statesman 7 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 6 out of 10
spice 5/5 spice: Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 5 out of 10
heat 4/4 heat: Old Forester Statesman 4 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The house grain character is what splits these.
- 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.
- Willett Pot Still Reserve: Famous first for the pot-still-shaped decanter and second for the whiskey, which is a fair ordering. Pleasant, sweet and fruit-leaning, with a good deal of the price attached to the glass.
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 Willett Pot Still Reserve if you want a distinctive bottle on the shelf and an easy, fruit-forward pour inside it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Old Forester Statesman); neat, rocks (Willett Pot Still Reserve).