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Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond vs Old Forester 86 Proof
Put Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond next to Old Forester 86 Proof and you have a classic, corn-forward stalwart set against a classic, high-rye stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond | 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 | 4 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) +14 proof | 86 proof (43% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$16 – $22 | ~$20 – $26 |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Old Forester 86 Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond Old Forester 86 Proof
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 6/4 oak: Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 4 out of 10
heat 5/3 heat: Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 6 out of 10
spice 5/5 spice: Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond: Arguably the best value in all of bourbon: a bonded 100-proof Kentucky whiskey for under twenty dollars. Straightforward vanilla and caramel with just enough oak, and nothing at all to apologise for.
- 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 Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond if you want a bonded, honest, full-proof Kentucky bourbon for the price of a cocktail.
- Go with Old Forester 86 Proof if you want the Old Forester house character at the lowest possible price.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond); cocktails, highball, rocks (Old Forester 86 Proof).