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Booker’s vs Old Forester 86 Proof
Comparing Booker’s and Old Forester 86 Proof reveals a matchup between an uncut, spice-driven heavyweight and a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Booker’s | Old Forester 86 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) +39 proof | 86 proof (43% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$85 – $110 | ~$20 – $26 ~$75 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 86 Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Booker’s Old Forester 86 Proof
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 10/3 heat: Booker’s 10 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10
nuttiness 8/3 nuttiness: Booker’s 8 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10
oak 8/4 oak: Booker’s 8 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 4 out of 10
spice 7/5 spice: Booker’s 7 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Booker’s 7 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 6 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: Booker’s 4 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land very differently on the palate for heat.
- 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 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 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 86 Proof if you want the Old Forester house character at the lowest possible price without hunting for it.
Best enjoyed neat (Booker’s); cocktails, highball, rocks (Old Forester 86 Proof).