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Old Forester 100 Proof vs Eagle Rare 12 Year
Put Old Forester 100 Proof next to Eagle Rare 12 Year and you have a classic, high-rye stalwart set against a classic, corn-forward stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 100 Proof | Eagle Rare 12 Year |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 12 years |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) +5 proof | 95 proof (47.5% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$26 – $32 ~$36 less | ~$50 – $80 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Allocated |
- Eagle Rare 12 Year 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.
Eagle Rare 12 Year
Top 3, behind George T. Stagg and Jack Daniel's 14.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 100 Proof Eagle Rare 12 Year
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 6/5 spice: Old Forester 100 Proof 6 out of 10, Eagle Rare 12 Year 5 out of 10
oak 6/7 oak: Old Forester 100 Proof 6 out of 10, Eagle Rare 12 Year 7 out of 10
fruit 5/6 fruit: Old Forester 100 Proof 5 out of 10, Eagle Rare 12 Year 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Old Forester 100 Proof 3 out of 10, Eagle Rare 12 Year 4 out of 10
sweetness 7/7 sweetness: Old Forester 100 Proof 7 out of 10, Eagle Rare 12 Year 7 out of 10
heat 5/5 heat: Old Forester 100 Proof 5 out of 10, Eagle Rare 12 Year 5 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.
- Eagle Rare 12 Year: Two more years and five more proof points than Eagle Rare 10. Brown sugar and toffee lead, with a drier, more astringent oak finish.
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 Eagle Rare 12 Year if you want an older, richer step up from Eagle Rare 10 with more brown sugar and oak.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Old Forester 100 Proof); neat, rocks (Eagle Rare 12 Year).