Compare
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof vs Old Forester 100 Proof
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof and Old Forester 100 Proof sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an undiluted barrel-strength pour versus an old-guard, rye-forward classic.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Elijah Craig Barrel Proof | Old Forester 100 Proof |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | 12 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 124 proof (62% ABV) +24 proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$70 – $100 | ~$26 – $32 ~$56 less |
| Availability | Limited | Widely available easier to find |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Old Forester 100 Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Old Forester 100 Proof
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 9/5 heat: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 9 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 5 out of 10
oak 9/6 oak: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 9 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 6 out of 10
spice 7/6 spice: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 7 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 6 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 4 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 5 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 4 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 3 out of 10
sweetness 7/7 sweetness: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 7 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 7 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land very differently on the palate for heat.
- Elijah Craig Barrel Proof: The uncut, unfiltered version of the same 12-year Heaven Hill juice, and the intensity is the whole point. Thick fudge and char with cinnamon heat, a genuinely long finish, and enough proof that water meaningfully changes the glass.
- 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 Elijah Craig Barrel Proof if you want maximum intensity and oak depth, and you want to control the dilution yourself with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
- Go with Old Forester 100 Proof if you want the best value in the Old Forester range and a superb old-fashioned base without hunting for it.
Best enjoyed neat (Elijah Craig Barrel Proof); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Old Forester 100 Proof).