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Barrell Foundation Bourbon vs Old Forester 86 Proof
Barrell Foundation Bourbon and Old Forester 86 Proof are cut from similar cloth: two takes on high-rye bourbons, where the real difference is price (~$50 – $60 vs. ~$20 – $26).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Barrell Foundation Bourbon | Old Forester 86 Proof |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 73% corn, 23% rye, 4% malted barley | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | 5 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) +14 proof | 86 proof (43% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$50 – $60 | ~$20 – $26 ~$32 less |
- Barrell Foundation Bourbon does not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-10; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Barrell Foundation Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Old Forester 86 Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Barrell Foundation Bourbon Old Forester 86 Proof
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 6/4 oak: Barrell Foundation Bourbon 6 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 4 out of 10
heat 5/3 heat: Barrell Foundation Bourbon 5 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10
spice 6/5 spice: Barrell Foundation Bourbon 6 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Barrell Foundation Bourbon 6 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 6 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Barrell Foundation Bourbon 5 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Barrell Foundation Bourbon 3 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- Barrell Foundation Bourbon: Barrell's everyday bottle: a multi-state blend proofed down to 100 instead of bottled at cask strength. Creamy cake and vanilla up front, then a dry, rye-driven peppery finish.
- 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 Barrell Foundation Bourbon if you want an approachable, 100-proof Barrell blend that still shows off multi-state blending with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
- Go with Old Forester 86 Proof if you want the Old Forester house character at the lowest possible price.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Barrell Foundation Bourbon); cocktails, highball, rocks (Old Forester 86 Proof).