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Four Roses Bourbon vs Old Forester 100 Proof
Put Four Roses Bourbon next to Old Forester 100 Proof and you have a classic, high-rye stalwart set against a classic, high-rye stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Four Roses Bourbon | Old Forester 100 Proof |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 75% corn, 20% rye, 5% malted barley | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +20 proof |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$22 – $28 | ~$26 – $32 |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Four Roses Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Old Forester 100 Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Four Roses Bourbon Old Forester 100 Proof
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 3/6 oak: Four Roses Bourbon 3 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 6 out of 10
heat 2/5 heat: Four Roses Bourbon 2 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 5 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Four Roses Bourbon 6 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 7 out of 10
spice 5/6 spice: Four Roses Bourbon 5 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 6 out of 10
fruit 6/5 fruit: Four Roses Bourbon 6 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Four Roses Bourbon 3 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- Four Roses Bourbon: The yellow label entry point, blending all ten Four Roses recipes at a gentle 80 proof. Light and fruity to a fault, but the house floral character is already recognisable and it mixes beautifully.
- 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 Four Roses Bourbon if you want the Four Roses fruit-and-floral signature at its lightest and cheapest.
- 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 (Four Roses Bourbon); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Old Forester 100 Proof).