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Old Forester 100 Proof vs Penelope Toasted Series
On paper Old Forester 100 Proof and Penelope Toasted Series are near neighbours — both high-rye bourbons — so price (~$26 – $32 vs. ~$55 – $70) is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 100 Proof | Penelope Toasted Series |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$26 – $32 ~$34 less | ~$55 – $70 |
- 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.
Penelope Toasted Series
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 100 Proof Penelope Toasted Series
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 6/5 spice: Old Forester 100 Proof 6 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 5 out of 10
oak 6/7 oak: Old Forester 100 Proof 6 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 7 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: Old Forester 100 Proof 5 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 4 out of 10
sweetness 7/7 sweetness: Old Forester 100 Proof 7 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 7 out of 10
heat 5/5 heat: Old Forester 100 Proof 5 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Old Forester 100 Proof 3 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 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.
- Penelope Toasted Series: Finished in a second, freshly toasted barrel, which pushes it toward toffee, roasted coffee and darker oak. The toast level changes from batch to batch.
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.
- Go with Penelope Toasted Series if you want a toasty, coffee-and-toffee bourbon from a second-barrel finish with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Old Forester 100 Proof); neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Toasted Series).