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Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel vs Old Forester 86 Proof
Put Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel next to Old Forester 86 Proof and you have a classic, corn-forward stalwart set against a classic, high-rye stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel | 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 | 10 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) +14 proof | 86 proof (43% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$40 – $70 | ~$20 – $26 ~$32 less |
| Availability | Limited | Widely available easier to find |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Old Forester 86 Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel Old Forester 86 Proof
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 8/4 oak: Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel 8 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 4 out of 10
heat 5/3 heat: Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel 5 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10
nuttiness 5/3 nuttiness: Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel 5 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel 4 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel 6 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 6 out of 10
spice 5/5 spice: Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel 5 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel: A ten-year bonded single barrel, which is a specification almost nothing else on the shelf matches. Dry and oak-forward with real age showing, though barrel variation means bottles differ more than most.
- 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 Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel if you want a bonded, ten-year single barrel with genuine age at a sane price 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 (Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel); cocktails, highball, rocks (Old Forester 86 Proof).