Compare
Horse Soldier Barrel Strength vs Old Forester 86 Proof
Horse Soldier Barrel Strength and Old Forester 86 Proof sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an uncut, wheat-forward heavyweight versus an old-guard, rye-forward classic.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Horse Soldier Barrel Strength | Old Forester 86 Proof |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon, Barrel Proof | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 70% corn, 20% wheat, 10% malted barley | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 111 proof (55.5% ABV) +25 proof | 86 proof (43% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$78 – $85 | ~$20 – $26 ~$59 less |
- Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 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
Horse Soldier Barrel Strength
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Old Forester 86 Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Horse Soldier Barrel Strength Old Forester 86 Proof
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 7/3 heat: Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 7 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10
oak 6/4 oak: Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 6 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 4 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 7 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 6 out of 10
spice 5/5 spice: Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 5 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 5 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 3 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land very differently on the palate for heat.
- Horse Soldier Barrel Strength: A barrel-strength wheater from the veteran-founded Horse Soldier brand. Brown sugar and toasted oak lead, baking spice and heat follow, and a splash of water pulls out darker fruit.
- 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 Horse Soldier Barrel Strength if you want a big, barrel-strength wheated bourbon with plenty of brown sugar and warmth with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
- Go with Old Forester 86 Proof if you want the Old Forester house character at the lowest possible price.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Horse Soldier Barrel Strength); cocktails, highball, rocks (Old Forester 86 Proof).