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Four Roses Single Barrel vs Old Forester 86 Proof
Four Roses Single Barrel and Old Forester 86 Proof are cut from similar cloth: two takes on high-rye bourbons, where the real difference is proof (100 vs. 86).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Four Roses Single Barrel | Old Forester 86 Proof |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 60% corn, 35% rye, 5% malted barley | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) +14 proof | 86 proof (43% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$45 – $55 | ~$20 – $26 ~$27 less |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Four Roses Single Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Old Forester 86 Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Four Roses Single Barrel Old Forester 86 Proof
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 8/5 spice: Four Roses Single Barrel 8 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10
heat 6/3 heat: Four Roses Single Barrel 6 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10
oak 6/4 oak: Four Roses Single Barrel 6 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 4 out of 10
fruit 7/5 fruit: Four Roses Single Barrel 7 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Four Roses Single Barrel 6 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Four Roses Single Barrel 3 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Rye spice is the dividing line here.
- Four Roses Single Barrel: The OBSV recipe on its own at 100 proof — the highest-rye mash Four Roses uses, paired with their most floral yeast. Cherry and clove in equal measure, and a genuinely distinctive 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 Four Roses Single Barrel if you want the most expressive, spice-and-fruit-forward single recipe in the Four Roses range with more proof behind it.
- Go with Old Forester 86 Proof if you want the Old Forester house character at the lowest possible price.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Four Roses Single Barrel); cocktails, highball, rocks (Old Forester 86 Proof).