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Bulleit Bourbon 10 Year vs Old Forester 86 Proof
On paper Bulleit Bourbon 10 Year and Old Forester 86 Proof are near neighbours — both high-rye bourbons — so price (~$45 – $55 vs. ~$20 – $26) is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Bulleit Bourbon 10 Year | Old Forester 86 Proof |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 68% corn, 28% rye, 4% malted barley | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | 10 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 91.2 proof (45.6% ABV) +5 proof | 86 proof (43% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$45 – $55 | ~$20 – $26 ~$27 less |
- Bulleit Bourbon 10 Year 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
Bulleit Bourbon 10 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Old Forester 86 Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Bulleit Bourbon 10 Year Old Forester 86 Proof
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 8/4 oak: Bulleit Bourbon 10 Year 8 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 4 out of 10
spice 7/5 spice: Bulleit Bourbon 10 Year 7 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10
sweetness 5/6 sweetness: Bulleit Bourbon 10 Year 5 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 6 out of 10
heat 4/3 heat: Bulleit Bourbon 10 Year 4 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10
nuttiness 2/3 nuttiness: Bulleit Bourbon 10 Year 2 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Bulleit Bourbon 10 Year 5 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Oak is doing most of the differentiating here.
- Bulleit Bourbon 10 Year: The older version of Bulleit's high-rye bourbon. Ten years add a lot of oak and leather to the usual rye spice, and the finish turns dry and woody.
- 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 Bulleit Bourbon 10 Year if you want an oak-forward, ten-year high-rye bourbon at a gentle proof.
- Go with Old Forester 86 Proof if you want the Old Forester house character at the lowest possible price.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Bulleit Bourbon 10 Year); cocktails, highball, rocks (Old Forester 86 Proof).