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Old Forester 100 Proof vs Redemption Bourbon
On paper Old Forester 100 Proof and Redemption Bourbon are near neighbours — both high-rye bourbons — so proof (100 vs. 84) is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 100 Proof | Redemption Bourbon |
|---|---|---|
| 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) +16 proof | 84 proof (42% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$26 – $32 | ~$25 – $32 |
- 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.
Redemption Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 100 Proof Redemption Bourbon
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 7/5 sweetness: Old Forester 100 Proof 7 out of 10, Redemption Bourbon 5 out of 10
oak 6/4 oak: Old Forester 100 Proof 6 out of 10, Redemption Bourbon 4 out of 10
heat 5/3 heat: Old Forester 100 Proof 5 out of 10, Redemption Bourbon 3 out of 10
spice 6/7 spice: Old Forester 100 Proof 6 out of 10, Redemption Bourbon 7 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Old Forester 100 Proof 5 out of 10, Redemption Bourbon 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Old Forester 100 Proof 3 out of 10, Redemption Bourbon 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Sweetness is where these two part ways.
- 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.
- Redemption Bourbon: Straightforward sourced MGP at a modest proof, and about as clear a reference sample of the high-rye MGP profile as you can buy. Thin neat, but a reliable and inexpensive cocktail base.
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 Redemption Bourbon if you want an inexpensive, unambiguous example of the MGP high-rye style for mixing.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Old Forester 100 Proof); old-fashioned, cocktails, highball (Redemption Bourbon).