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Jack Daniel’s 12 Year vs Old Forester 100 Proof
Put Jack Daniel’s 12 Year next to Old Forester 100 Proof and you have a classic, corn-forward stalwart set against a classic, high-rye stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Jack Daniel’s 12 Year | Old Forester 100 Proof |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Tennessee Whiskey | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 80% corn, 8% rye, 12% malted barley | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | 12 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 107 proof (53.5% ABV) +7 proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$80 – $120 | ~$26 – $32 ~$71 less |
| Availability | Limited | Widely available easier to find |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-10; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Jack Daniel’s 12 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Old Forester 100 Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Jack Daniel’s 12 Year Old Forester 100 Proof
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 8/6 oak: Jack Daniel’s 12 Year 8 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 6 out of 10
sweetness 8/7 sweetness: Jack Daniel’s 12 Year 8 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 7 out of 10
spice 5/6 spice: Jack Daniel’s 12 Year 5 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 6 out of 10
fruit 6/5 fruit: Jack Daniel’s 12 Year 6 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 5 out of 10
heat 6/5 heat: Jack Daniel’s 12 Year 6 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 5 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Jack Daniel’s 12 Year 4 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Oak is doing most of the differentiating here.
- Jack Daniel’s 12 Year: Twelve-year Jack Daniel's at 107 proof. Sweet and creamy, with butterscotch, pipe tobacco and seasoned oak.
- Old Forester 100 Proof: The bottle most people should buy from this range: the same recipe as the 86 with enough proof to actually taste it. One of the strongest arguments on the shelf for spending six dollars more.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Jack Daniel’s 12 Year if you want a sweet, creamy, well-aged Jack Daniel's with pipe tobacco and oak with slightly more proof behind it.
- Go with Old Forester 100 Proof if you want the best value in the Old Forester range and a superb old-fashioned base without hunting for it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Jack Daniel’s 12 Year); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Old Forester 100 Proof).