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Bulleit Bourbon vs Old Forester 100 Proof
On paper Bulleit Bourbon and Old Forester 100 Proof are near neighbours — both high-rye bourbons — so proof (90 vs. 100) is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Bulleit Bourbon | Old Forester 100 Proof |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 68% corn, 28% rye, 4% malted barley | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +10 proof |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$25 – $32 | ~$26 – $32 |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Bulleit Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Old Forester 100 Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Bulleit Bourbon Old Forester 100 Proof
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 5/7 sweetness: Bulleit Bourbon 5 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 7 out of 10
spice 7/6 spice: Bulleit Bourbon 7 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 6 out of 10
oak 5/6 oak: Bulleit Bourbon 5 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 6 out of 10
heat 4/5 heat: Bulleit Bourbon 4 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 5 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Bulleit Bourbon 5 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Bulleit Bourbon 3 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Sweetness is where these two part ways.
- Bulleit Bourbon: The bottle that put high-rye bourbon in every cocktail bar in the country. Peppery and dry with the familiar MGP dill note, and it earns its place behind the bar more than in a glass on its own.
- 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 Bulleit Bourbon if you want a dry, peppery, high-rye bourbon built for cocktails and available absolutely everywhere.
- Go with Old Forester 100 Proof if you want the best value in the Old Forester range and a superb old-fashioned base.
Best enjoyed old-fashioned, cocktails, highball (Bulleit Bourbon); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Old Forester 100 Proof).