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Stellum Bourbon vs Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
Comparing Stellum Bourbon and Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond reveals a matchup between an uncut, cask-strength bruiser and a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Stellum Bourbon | Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 4 years |
| Proof | 115 proof (57.5% ABV) +15 proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$45 – $55 | ~$45 – $55 |
- Stellum Bourbon 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
Stellum Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Stellum Bourbon Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 7/5 heat: Stellum Bourbon 7 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Stellum Bourbon 6 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10
spice 7/6 spice: Stellum Bourbon 7 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10
oak 6/7 oak: Stellum Bourbon 6 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: Stellum Bourbon 4 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Stellum Bourbon 3 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Proof and heat dominate the difference.
- Stellum Bourbon: Barrell's lower-priced, cask-strength line. It drinks gentler than its proof, with vanilla and caramel on top of cinnamon, clove and a long, spicy 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 Stellum Bourbon if you want a cask-strength, multi-state blend that drinks easier than its proof 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.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Stellum Bourbon); neat, old-fashioned (Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond).