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Old Forester 86 Proof vs Eagle Rare 10 Year
Comparing Old Forester 86 Proof and Eagle Rare 10 Year reveals a matchup between a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple and a traditional, even-keeled Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 86 Proof | Eagle Rare 10 Year |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 10 years |
| Proof | 86 proof (43% ABV) | 90 proof (45% ABV) +4 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$20 – $26 ~$30 less | ~$40 – $65 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Allocated |
- Eagle Rare 10 Year does not publish an official mash bill.
- 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.
Eagle Rare 10 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 86 Proof Eagle Rare 10 Year
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 4/7 oak: Old Forester 86 Proof 4 out of 10, Eagle Rare 10 Year 7 out of 10
spice 5/4 spice: Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10, Eagle Rare 10 Year 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10, Eagle Rare 10 Year 4 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Old Forester 86 Proof 6 out of 10, Eagle Rare 10 Year 6 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10, Eagle Rare 10 Year 5 out of 10
heat 3/3 heat: Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10, Eagle Rare 10 Year 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Oak is doing most of the differentiating 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.
- Eagle Rare 10 Year: A 10-year age statement at a gentle 90 proof gives this a polished, dry-oak elegance rather than power. Toffee and orange peel lead into leather and dried fruit, with a long, notably dry finish.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Old Forester 86 Proof if you want the Old Forester house character at the lowest possible price without hunting for it.
- Go with Eagle Rare 10 Year if you want an elegant, older, low-proof sipper where refinement matters more than intensity.
Best enjoyed cocktails, highball, rocks (Old Forester 86 Proof); neat, rocks (Eagle Rare 10 Year).