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Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond vs Ancient Age
Put Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond next to Ancient Age and you have a classic, corn-forward stalwart set against a classic, high-rye stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond | Ancient Age |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 75% corn, 15% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | 4 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) +20 proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$16 – $22 | ~$14 – $18 |
- Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond and Ancient Age do not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Ancient Age
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond Ancient Age
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 5/2 heat: Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Ancient Age 2 out of 10
oak 5/3 oak: Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Ancient Age 3 out of 10
sweetness 6/5 sweetness: Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10, Ancient Age 5 out of 10
spice 5/4 spice: Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Ancient Age 4 out of 10
fruit 4/4 fruit: Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10, Ancient Age 4 out of 10
nuttiness 4/4 nuttiness: Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10, Ancient Age 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land very differently on the palate for heat.
- Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond: A bonded 100-proof bourbon at a price that barely seems possible, though distribution is patchy outside Kentucky. Unremarkable in the best way: it does everything a bourbon should and nothing extra.
- Ancient Age: The bottom rung of the Buffalo Trace ladder and priced accordingly. Thin and simple at 80 proof, but it is recognisably the Mash Bill #2 recipe and it does its job in a highball without complaint.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond if you want a bonded Kentucky bourbon for under twenty dollars, if you can find it in your state with more proof behind it.
- Go with Ancient Age if you want the cheapest honest mixer in the lineup and you are not drinking it neat.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond); cocktails, highball (Ancient Age).