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Four Roses Small Batch Select vs Old Forester 86 Proof
Four Roses Small Batch Select and Old Forester 86 Proof are cut from similar cloth: two takes on high-rye bourbons, where the real difference is price (~$55 – $65 vs. ~$20 – $26).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Four Roses Small Batch Select | 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 | 6 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 104 proof (52% ABV) +18 proof | 86 proof (43% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$55 – $65 | ~$20 – $26 ~$37 less |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Four Roses Small Batch Select
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Old Forester 86 Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Four Roses Small Batch Select Old Forester 86 Proof
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 8/5 fruit: Four Roses Small Batch Select 8 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10
heat 6/3 heat: Four Roses Small Batch Select 6 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10
spice 7/5 spice: Four Roses Small Batch Select 7 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10
oak 6/4 oak: Four Roses Small Batch Select 6 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 4 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Four Roses Small Batch Select 6 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Four Roses Small Batch Select 3 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The fruit-versus-grain contrast drives this one.
- Four Roses Small Batch Select: Six recipes, non-chill-filtered, at 104 proof, and the most complete thing Four Roses makes at a normal price. The house fruit character with enough proof and texture to carry it.
- 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 Small Batch Select if you want the fullest expression of the Four Roses fruit-forward style without chasing an allocated bottle 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, rocks (Four Roses Small Batch Select); cocktails, highball, rocks (Old Forester 86 Proof).