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Eagle Rare 10 Year vs Old Forester 86 Proof
Comparing Eagle Rare 10 Year and Old Forester 86 Proof reveals a matchup between a traditional, even-keeled Kentucky staple and a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Eagle Rare 10 Year | Old Forester 86 Proof |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | 10 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) +4 proof | 86 proof (43% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$40 – $65 | ~$20 – $26 ~$30 less |
| Availability | Allocated | Widely available easier to find |
- Eagle Rare 10 Year 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
Eagle Rare 10 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Old Forester 86 Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Eagle Rare 10 Year Old Forester 86 Proof
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 7/4 oak: Eagle Rare 10 Year 7 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 4 out of 10
spice 4/5 spice: Eagle Rare 10 Year 4 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Eagle Rare 10 Year 4 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Eagle Rare 10 Year 6 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 6 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Eagle Rare 10 Year 5 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10
heat 3/3 heat: Eagle Rare 10 Year 3 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Oak is doing most of the differentiating here.
- Eagle Rare 10 Year: A 10-year age statement at a gentle 90 proof gives this a polished, dry-oak elegance rather than power. Toffee and orange peel lead into leather and dried fruit, with a long, notably dry 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 Eagle Rare 10 Year if you want an elegant, older, low-proof sipper where refinement matters more than intensity.
- 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, rocks (Eagle Rare 10 Year); cocktails, highball, rocks (Old Forester 86 Proof).