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Penelope Toasted Series vs Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
On paper Penelope Toasted Series and Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond are near neighbours — both high-rye bourbons — so price (~$55 – $70 vs. ~$45 – $55) is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Penelope Toasted Series | Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 4 years |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$55 – $70 | ~$45 – $55 ~$13 less |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-10; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Penelope Toasted Series
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Penelope Toasted Series Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 5/6 spice: Penelope Toasted Series 5 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: Penelope Toasted Series 4 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
sweetness 7/7 sweetness: Penelope Toasted Series 7 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10
oak 7/7 oak: Penelope Toasted Series 7 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10
heat 5/5 heat: Penelope Toasted Series 5 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Penelope Toasted Series 3 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land close together on every flavor axis — the differences are in texture and proof more than character.
- 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.
- Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond: The bonded entry in the Whiskey Row series and a noticeable step up in density from the standard 100. More oak and more weight, though the price gap to the 100 proof is harder to justify than the flavour gap suggests.
Which One Should You Choose?
- 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.
- Go with Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond if you want a bonded, denser take on the Old Forester profile with more barrel behind it at a lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Toasted Series); neat, old-fashioned (Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond).