Compare
Old Forester 100 Proof vs Russell’s Reserve 10 Year
On paper Old Forester 100 Proof and Russell’s Reserve 10 Year are near neighbours — both high-rye bourbons — so proof (100 vs. 90) is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 100 Proof | Russell’s Reserve 10 Year |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 10 years |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) +10 proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$26 – $32 ~$16 less | ~$40 – $50 |
- 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.
Russell’s Reserve 10 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 100 Proof Russell’s Reserve 10 Year
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 6/8 oak: Old Forester 100 Proof 6 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 10 Year 8 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Old Forester 100 Proof 7 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 10 Year 6 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: Old Forester 100 Proof 5 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 10 Year 4 out of 10
heat 5/4 heat: Old Forester 100 Proof 5 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 10 Year 4 out of 10
spice 6/6 spice: Old Forester 100 Proof 6 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 10 Year 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Old Forester 100 Proof 3 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 10 Year 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.
- Russell’s Reserve 10 Year: Ten years of Wild Turkey at a restrained 90 proof, which trades the 101's punch for polish. More oak and more composure, and one of the better age-stated bottles at its price.
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 Russell’s Reserve 10 Year if you want an age-stated, oak-forward Wild Turkey with the volume turned down.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Old Forester 100 Proof); neat, rocks (Russell’s Reserve 10 Year).