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Redemption Bourbon vs Old Forester Statesman
Comparing Redemption Bourbon and Old Forester Statesman is a closer contest than it looks — both are high-rye bourbons, separated mainly by price (~$25 – $32 vs. ~$50 – $55).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Redemption Bourbon | Old Forester Statesman |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | No age statement |
| Proof | 84 proof (42% ABV) | 95 proof (47.5% ABV) +11 proof |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$25 – $32 ~$24 less | ~$50 – $55 |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Redemption Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Old Forester Statesman
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Redemption Bourbon Old Forester Statesman
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 5/8 sweetness: Redemption Bourbon 5 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 8 out of 10
spice 7/5 spice: Redemption Bourbon 7 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10
fruit 5/7 fruit: Redemption Bourbon 5 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 7 out of 10
oak 4/5 oak: Redemption Bourbon 4 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10
heat 3/4 heat: Redemption Bourbon 3 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/2 nuttiness: Redemption Bourbon 3 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 2 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The clearest split is how sweet each one drinks.
- Redemption Bourbon: Straightforward sourced MGP at a modest proof, and about as clear a reference sample of the high-rye MGP profile as you can buy. Thin neat, but a reliable and inexpensive cocktail base.
- 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.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Redemption Bourbon if you want an inexpensive, unambiguous example of the MGP high-rye style for mixing at a lower price point.
- Go with Old Forester Statesman if you want a bright, cherry-sweet Old Forester that sits between the 100 and 1920 in weight with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed old-fashioned, cocktails, highball (Redemption Bourbon); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Old Forester Statesman).