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Old Forester 100 Proof vs Blanton’s Single Barrel
On paper Old Forester 100 Proof and Blanton’s Single Barrel are near neighbours — both high-rye bourbons — so price (~$26 – $32 vs. ~$80 – $150) is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 100 Proof | Blanton’s Single Barrel |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | 75% corn, 15% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) +7 proof | 93 proof (46.5% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$26 – $32 ~$86 less | ~$80 – $150 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Allocated |
- Blanton’s Single Barrel does not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Old Forester 100 Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Blanton’s Single Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 100 Proof Blanton’s Single Barrel
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Old Forester 100 Proof 7 out of 10, Blanton’s Single Barrel 6 out of 10
fruit 5/6 fruit: Old Forester 100 Proof 5 out of 10, Blanton’s Single Barrel 6 out of 10
heat 5/4 heat: Old Forester 100 Proof 5 out of 10, Blanton’s Single Barrel 4 out of 10
spice 6/6 spice: Old Forester 100 Proof 6 out of 10, Blanton’s Single Barrel 6 out of 10
oak 6/6 oak: Old Forester 100 Proof 6 out of 10, Blanton’s Single Barrel 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Old Forester 100 Proof 3 out of 10, Blanton’s Single Barrel 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land close together on every flavor axis — the differences are in texture and proof more than character.
- 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.
- Blanton’s Single Barrel: The bottle that invented the single-barrel category and still trades largely on its horse-stopper cork and its scarcity. The whiskey itself is genuinely good — honeyed and citrus-led with nutmeg spice — but at secondary prices you are paying for the bottle as much as the pour.
Which One Should You Choose?
- 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.
- Go with Blanton’s Single Barrel if you want the original single-barrel presentation and a honeyed, citrus-led profile, and the hunt is part of the appeal.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Old Forester 100 Proof); neat, rocks (Blanton’s Single Barrel).