Compare
Rowan's Creek vs Old Forester 1870 Original Batch
Put Rowan's Creek next to Old Forester 1870 Original Batch and you have a classic, corn-forward stalwart set against a classic, high-rye stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Rowan's Creek | Old Forester 1870 Original Batch |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 100.1 proof (50.0% ABV) +10 proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$40 – $50 ~$5 less | ~$45 – $55 |
- Rowan's Creek 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
Rowan's Creek
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Old Forester 1870 Original Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Rowan's Creek Old Forester 1870 Original Batch
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 7/4 spice: Rowan's Creek 7 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 4 out of 10
fruit 4/6 fruit: Rowan's Creek 4 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 6 out of 10
heat 5/3 heat: Rowan's Creek 5 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 3 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Rowan's Creek 6 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 7 out of 10
oak 4/5 oak: Rowan's Creek 4 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 5 out of 10
nuttiness 2/2 nuttiness: Rowan's Creek 2 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 2 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Rye spice is the dividing line here.
- Rowan's Creek: A small-batch Willett bottling that tastes rye-forward and herbal. Honey and caramel sit under mint, hay and warm spice, with a peppermint lift on the finish.
- Old Forester 1870 Original Batch: The first bottle in Old Forester's Whiskey Row Series, recreating the founder's habit of blending barrels from three warehouses. It is the lightest of the series, caramel sweet and easy.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Rowan's Creek if you want an herbal, minty, rye-forward Willett bottling at a slightly lower price point and with more proof behind it.
- Go with Old Forester 1870 Original Batch if you want the gentlest, most easygoing pour in the Whiskey Row Series.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Rowan's Creek); neat, rocks, highball (Old Forester 1870 Original Batch).