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Rowan's Creek vs Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
Comparing Rowan's Creek and Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond reveals a matchup between a traditional, even-keeled Kentucky staple and a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Rowan's Creek | Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 4 years |
| Proof | 100.1 proof (50.0% ABV) | 100 proof (50% 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 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Rowan's Creek Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 4/7 oak: Rowan's Creek 4 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Rowan's Creek 6 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10
spice 7/6 spice: Rowan's Creek 7 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: Rowan's Creek 4 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
nuttiness 2/3 nuttiness: Rowan's Creek 2 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10
heat 5/5 heat: Rowan's Creek 5 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Oak is doing most of the differentiating 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 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 Rowan's Creek if you want an herbal, minty, rye-forward Willett bottling at a slightly lower price point.
- 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.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Rowan's Creek); neat, old-fashioned (Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond).