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Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel vs Old Forester 86 Proof
Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel and Old Forester 86 Proof sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an old-guard, classically built classic versus an old-guard, rye-forward classic.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel | Old Forester 86 Proof |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 94 proof (47% ABV) +8 proof | 86 proof (43% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$60 – $80 | ~$20 – $26 ~$47 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 Toasted Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Old Forester 86 Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel Old Forester 86 Proof
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 9/4 oak: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 9 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 4 out of 10
sweetness 8/6 sweetness: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 8 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 6 out of 10
nuttiness 5/3 nuttiness: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 5 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 4 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10
heat 4/3 heat: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 4 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10
spice 5/5 spice: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 5 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel: Finished in a second toasted (not charred) barrel, which produces an unmistakable toasted-marshmallow note. Sweet and heavily wooded, and one of the more distinctive finishes any major producer makes.
- 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 Toasted Barrel if you want a distinctive toasted-oak, marshmallow-sweet finish you will not find in a standard bourbon 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 (Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel); cocktails, highball, rocks (Old Forester 86 Proof).