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Old Forester 86 Proof vs Bulleit Bourbon
On paper Old Forester 86 Proof and Bulleit Bourbon are near neighbours — both high-rye bourbons — so proof (86 vs. 90) is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 86 Proof | Bulleit Bourbon |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | 68% corn, 28% rye, 4% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 86 proof (43% ABV) | 90 proof (45% ABV) +4 proof |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$20 – $26 ~$6 less | ~$25 – $32 |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Old Forester 86 Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Bulleit Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 86 Proof Bulleit Bourbon
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 5/7 spice: Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10, Bulleit Bourbon 7 out of 10
sweetness 6/5 sweetness: Old Forester 86 Proof 6 out of 10, Bulleit Bourbon 5 out of 10
oak 4/5 oak: Old Forester 86 Proof 4 out of 10, Bulleit Bourbon 5 out of 10
heat 3/4 heat: Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10, Bulleit Bourbon 4 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10, Bulleit Bourbon 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10, Bulleit Bourbon 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Rye spice is the dividing line here.
- Old Forester 86 Proof: The entry bottling and the cheapest way to meet the Old Forester banana-and-caramel signature. Thin at 86 proof, but it costs very little and mixes well.
- Bulleit Bourbon: The bottle that put high-rye bourbon in every cocktail bar in the country. Peppery and dry with the familiar MGP dill note, and it earns its place behind the bar more than in a glass on its own.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Old Forester 86 Proof if you want the Old Forester house character at the lowest possible price.
- Go with Bulleit Bourbon if you want a dry, peppery, high-rye bourbon built for cocktails and available absolutely everywhere.
Best enjoyed cocktails, highball, rocks (Old Forester 86 Proof); old-fashioned, cocktails, highball (Bulleit Bourbon).