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Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond Double Mash vs Old Forester 86 Proof
Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond Double Mash and Old Forester 86 Proof sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an old-guard, classically built classic versus an old-guard, rye-forward classic.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond Double Mash | Old Forester 86 Proof |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 7% rye, 6% wheat, 12% malted barley | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | 9 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) +14 proof | 86 proof (43% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$50 – $55 | ~$20 – $26 ~$30 less |
| Availability | Limited | Widely available easier to find |
- Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond Double Mash does not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-10; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond Double Mash
Very good. Flavorful without being too powerful.
Old Forester 86 Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond Double Mash Old Forester 86 Proof
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 7/4 oak: Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond Double Mash 7 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 4 out of 10
nuttiness 6/3 nuttiness: Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond Double Mash 6 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10
heat 5/3 heat: Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond Double Mash 5 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond Double Mash 7 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 6 out of 10
spice 5/5 spice: Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond Double Mash 5 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond Double Mash 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 Double Mash: Nine-year Heaven Hill in two flavors at once: the classic rye recipe brings structure and nutty oak, while a third of wheated bourbon rounds off the edges. It drinks fuller and softer than the standard bonded bottle.
- 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 Double Mash if you want a well-aged bonded bourbon that blends Heaven Hill's rye and wheat recipes into one balanced pour with more proof behind it.
- Go with Old Forester 86 Proof if you want the Old Forester house character at the lowest possible price without hunting for it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond Double Mash); cocktails, highball, rocks (Old Forester 86 Proof).