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Baker’s 7 Year vs Old Forester 86 Proof
Put Baker’s 7 Year next to Old Forester 86 Proof and you have a classic, high-rye stalwart set against a classic, high-rye stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Baker’s 7 Year | Old Forester 86 Proof |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | 7 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 107 proof (53.5% ABV) +21 proof | 86 proof (43% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$55 – $70 | ~$20 – $26 ~$40 less |
- Baker’s 7 Year 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
Baker’s 7 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Old Forester 86 Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Baker’s 7 Year Old Forester 86 Proof
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
nuttiness 7/3 nuttiness: Baker’s 7 Year 7 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10
oak 7/4 oak: Baker’s 7 Year 7 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 4 out of 10
heat 6/3 heat: Baker’s 7 Year 6 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Baker’s 7 Year 6 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 6 out of 10
spice 5/5 spice: Baker’s 7 Year 5 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Baker’s 7 Year 5 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Nutty, grain-driven character is the divider.
- Baker’s 7 Year: The gentlest of the Beam small-batch collection despite its 107 proof, thanks to an unusually creamy texture. The peanut note is present but softened, sitting under vanilla and light fruit.
- Old Forester 86 Proof: The entry bottling and the cheapest way to meet the Old Forester banana-and-caramel signature. Thin at 86 proof, but it costs very little and mixes well.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Baker’s 7 Year if you want the Beam character in its smoothest, creamiest form at a real proof point.
- Go with Old Forester 86 Proof if you want the Old Forester house character at the lowest possible price.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Baker’s 7 Year); cocktails, highball, rocks (Old Forester 86 Proof).