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Wild Turkey Rare Breed vs Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
Comparing Wild Turkey Rare Breed and Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond reveals a matchup between an uncut, spice-driven heavyweight and a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Wild Turkey Rare Breed | Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon, Barrel Proof | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 4 years |
| Proof | 116 proof (58% ABV) +16 proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$45 – $55 | ~$45 – $55 |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Wild Turkey Rare Breed
Good flavor.
Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Wild Turkey Rare Breed Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 8/5 heat: Wild Turkey Rare Breed 8 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
spice 8/6 spice: Wild Turkey Rare Breed 8 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Wild Turkey Rare Breed 6 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10
oak 8/7 oak: Wild Turkey Rare Breed 8 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: Wild Turkey Rare Breed 4 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Wild Turkey Rare Breed 3 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land very differently on the palate for heat.
- Wild Turkey Rare Breed: Barrel-proof Wild Turkey at a price that still looks like a mistake. Everything the 101 does with considerably more force, and one of the most consistently praised bottles in its category.
- 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 Wild Turkey Rare Breed if you want barrel-proof spice and oak with a reputation to match, at half what comparable bottles cost 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 (Wild Turkey Rare Breed); neat, old-fashioned (Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond).