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Booker’s vs Old Forester 100 Proof
Comparing Booker’s and Old Forester 100 Proof reveals a matchup between an uncut, spice-driven heavyweight and a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Booker’s | Old Forester 100 Proof |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon, Barrel Proof | 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 | 125 proof (62.5% ABV) +25 proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$85 – $110 | ~$26 – $32 ~$69 less |
| Availability | Limited | Widely available easier to find |
- Booker’s 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
Booker’s
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Old Forester 100 Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Booker’s Old Forester 100 Proof
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 10/5 heat: Booker’s 10 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 5 out of 10
nuttiness 8/3 nuttiness: Booker’s 8 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 3 out of 10
oak 8/6 oak: Booker’s 8 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 6 out of 10
spice 7/6 spice: Booker’s 7 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 6 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: Booker’s 4 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 5 out of 10
sweetness 7/7 sweetness: Booker’s 7 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 7 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Proof and heat dominate the difference.
- Booker’s: Uncut, unfiltered Beam at batch strength, and the most concentrated expression of the house peanut-and-oak character. Enormous and hot, with a finish that goes on well past where you expect it to stop.
- Old Forester 100 Proof: The bottle most people should buy from this range: the same recipe as the 86 with enough proof to actually taste it. One of the strongest arguments on the shelf for spending six dollars more.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Booker’s if you want the Beam house style at full power and you have water on the table with significantly more proof behind it and with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
- Go with Old Forester 100 Proof if you want the best value in the Old Forester range and a superb old-fashioned base without hunting for it.
Best enjoyed neat (Booker’s); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Old Forester 100 Proof).