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Eagle Rare 12 Year vs Old Forester 86 Proof
Comparing Eagle Rare 12 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 12 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 | 12 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 95 proof (47.5% ABV) +9 proof | 86 proof (43% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$50 – $80 | ~$20 – $26 ~$42 less |
| Availability | Allocated | Widely available easier to find |
- Eagle Rare 12 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
Eagle Rare 12 Year
Top 3, behind George T. Stagg and Jack Daniel's 14.
Old Forester 86 Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Eagle Rare 12 Year Old Forester 86 Proof
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 7/4 oak: Eagle Rare 12 Year 7 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 4 out of 10
heat 5/3 heat: Eagle Rare 12 Year 5 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Eagle Rare 12 Year 7 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 6 out of 10
fruit 6/5 fruit: Eagle Rare 12 Year 6 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Eagle Rare 12 Year 4 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10
spice 5/5 spice: Eagle Rare 12 Year 5 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Oak is doing most of the differentiating here.
- Eagle Rare 12 Year: Two more years and five more proof points than Eagle Rare 10. Brown sugar and toffee lead, with a drier, more astringent oak 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 12 Year if you want an older, richer step up from Eagle Rare 10 with more brown sugar and oak with slightly more proof behind it.
- 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 12 Year); cocktails, highball, rocks (Old Forester 86 Proof).