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Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond 7 Year vs Old Forester 86 Proof
Comparing Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond 7 Year and Old Forester 86 Proof reveals a matchup between a traditional, even-keeled Kentucky staple and a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond 7 Year | 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 | 7 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) +14 proof | 86 proof (43% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$35 – $45 | ~$20 – $26 ~$17 less |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond 7 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Old Forester 86 Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond 7 Year Old Forester 86 Proof
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 7/4 oak: Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond 7 Year 7 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 4 out of 10
heat 5/3 heat: Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond 7 Year 5 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10
nuttiness 5/3 nuttiness: Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond 7 Year 5 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond 7 Year 4 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond 7 Year 6 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 6 out of 10
spice 5/5 spice: Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond 7 Year 5 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond 7 Year: Seven years, bonded, and priced sensibly — the specification sheet reads like something from twenty years ago. Balanced and oak-leaning without ever getting heavy.
- 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 Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond 7 Year if you want a bonded, age-stated Kentucky bourbon that gets the fundamentals right for under forty dollars 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, old-fashioned (Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond 7 Year); cocktails, highball, rocks (Old Forester 86 Proof).