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Old Forester 100 Proof vs Kentucky Owl Batch 12
Comparing Old Forester 100 Proof and Kentucky Owl Batch 12 reveals a matchup between a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple and an uncut, cask-strength bruiser.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 100 Proof | Kentucky Owl Batch 12 |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 115.8 proof (57.9% ABV) +16 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$26 – $32 ~$321 less | ~$300 – $400 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- Kentucky Owl Batch 12 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.
Kentucky Owl Batch 12
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 100 Proof Kentucky Owl Batch 12
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 6/8 oak: Old Forester 100 Proof 6 out of 10, Kentucky Owl Batch 12 8 out of 10
heat 5/7 heat: Old Forester 100 Proof 5 out of 10, Kentucky Owl Batch 12 7 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Old Forester 100 Proof 7 out of 10, Kentucky Owl Batch 12 6 out of 10
spice 6/7 spice: Old Forester 100 Proof 6 out of 10, Kentucky Owl Batch 12 7 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: Old Forester 100 Proof 5 out of 10, Kentucky Owl Batch 12 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Old Forester 100 Proof 3 out of 10, Kentucky Owl Batch 12 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Oak is doing most of the differentiating here.
- 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.
- Kentucky Owl Batch 12: A high-end blend of young and older sourced Kentucky bourbons. Leather, smoky oak and caramel, with a peppery, spice-forward palate.
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 Kentucky Owl Batch 12 if you want a spicy, leathery, high-end blended bourbon with more proof behind it and with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Old Forester 100 Proof); neat (Kentucky Owl Batch 12).