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Willett Pot Still Reserve vs Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
Comparing Willett Pot Still Reserve and Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond reveals a matchup between a modern, even-keeled craft expression and a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Willett Pot Still Reserve | 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 | 94 proof (47% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +6 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$45 – $60 | ~$45 – $55 |
- Willett Pot Still Reserve 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
Willett Pot Still Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Willett Pot Still Reserve Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 5/6 spice: Willett Pot Still Reserve 5 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10
oak 6/7 oak: Willett Pot Still Reserve 6 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10
fruit 6/5 fruit: Willett Pot Still Reserve 6 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
heat 4/5 heat: Willett Pot Still Reserve 4 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Willett Pot Still Reserve 4 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10
sweetness 7/7 sweetness: Willett Pot Still Reserve 7 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land close together on every flavor axis — the differences are in texture and proof more than character.
- Willett Pot Still Reserve: Famous first for the pot-still-shaped decanter and second for the whiskey, which is a fair ordering. Pleasant, sweet and fruit-leaning, with a good deal of the price attached to the glass.
- 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 Willett Pot Still Reserve if you want a distinctive bottle on the shelf and an easy, fruit-forward pour inside it.
- 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 with slightly more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Willett Pot Still Reserve); neat, old-fashioned (Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond).