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Elijah Craig Barrel Proof vs Old Forester 86 Proof
Comparing Elijah Craig Barrel Proof and Old Forester 86 Proof reveals a matchup between an uncut, cask-strength bruiser and a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Elijah Craig Barrel Proof | Old Forester 86 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) +38 proof | 86 proof (43% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$70 – $100 | ~$20 – $26 ~$62 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 86 Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Old Forester 86 Proof
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 9/3 heat: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 9 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10
oak 9/4 oak: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 9 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 4 out of 10
spice 7/5 spice: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 7 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 7 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 6 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 4 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 4 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Proof and heat dominate the difference.
- 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 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 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 86 Proof if you want the Old Forester house character at the lowest possible price without hunting for it.
Best enjoyed neat (Elijah Craig Barrel Proof); cocktails, highball, rocks (Old Forester 86 Proof).