Compare
Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond vs Old Forester 1870 Original Batch
Put Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 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 | Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond | 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 | 4 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) +10 proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$16 – $22 ~$31 less | ~$45 – $55 |
- Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond does 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.
Old Forester 1870 Original Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond Old Forester 1870 Original Batch
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 4/6 fruit: Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 6 out of 10
heat 5/3 heat: Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 3 out of 10
nuttiness 4/2 nuttiness: Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 2 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 7 out of 10
spice 5/4 spice: Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 4 out of 10
oak 5/5 oak: Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Fruit character is what sets these apart.
- 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.
- 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 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 Old Forester 1870 Original Batch if you want the gentlest, most easygoing pour in the Whiskey Row Series.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond); neat, rocks, highball (Old Forester 1870 Original Batch).