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Evan Williams Black Label vs Old Forester 100 Proof
Put Evan Williams Black Label next to Old Forester 100 Proof and you have a classic, corn-forward stalwart set against a classic, high-rye stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Evan Williams Black Label | Old Forester 100 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 | 86 proof (43% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +14 proof |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$14 – $18 ~$13 less | ~$26 – $32 |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Evan Williams Black Label
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Old Forester 100 Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Evan Williams Black Label Old Forester 100 Proof
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 4/6 spice: Evan Williams Black Label 4 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 6 out of 10
heat 3/5 heat: Evan Williams Black Label 3 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 5 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Evan Williams Black Label 6 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 7 out of 10
oak 5/6 oak: Evan Williams Black Label 5 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 6 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: Evan Williams Black Label 4 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 5 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Evan Williams Black Label 4 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The gap between these two is mostly about spice.
- Evan Williams Black Label: The everyday black label, and a perfectly competent well bourbon. Softer and sweeter than the bonded version, with less to say but nothing objectionable.
- 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 Evan Williams Black Label if you want a dependable, inexpensive mixing bourbon and nothing more complicated than that at a lower price point.
- Go with Old Forester 100 Proof if you want the best value in the Old Forester range and a superb old-fashioned base.
Best enjoyed cocktails, highball, rocks (Evan Williams Black Label); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Old Forester 100 Proof).