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Old Forester 100 Proof vs Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel
Comparing Old Forester 100 Proof and Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel is a closer contest than it looks — both are high-rye bourbons, separated mainly by price (~$26 – $32 vs. ~$55 – $70).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 100 Proof | Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 110 proof (55% ABV) +10 proof |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$26 – $32 ~$34 less | ~$55 – $70 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- 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 Single Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 100 Proof Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 6/8 spice: Old Forester 100 Proof 6 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 8 out of 10
oak 6/8 oak: Old Forester 100 Proof 6 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 8 out of 10
heat 5/7 heat: Old Forester 100 Proof 5 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 7 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Old Forester 100 Proof 7 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 6 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: Old Forester 100 Proof 5 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Old Forester 100 Proof 3 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Rye spice is the dividing line 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 Single Barrel: Non-chill-filtered single barrels at 110 proof, and the format that store picks have made a cult of. Concentrated Wild Turkey character with a texture the standard bottlings do not have.
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 Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel if you want concentrated Wild Turkey character with single-barrel variation and real texture with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Old Forester 100 Proof); neat, old-fashioned (Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel).