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Old Forester 86 Proof vs Elijah Craig Barrel Proof
Comparing Old Forester 86 Proof and Elijah Craig Barrel Proof reveals a matchup between a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple and an uncut, cask-strength bruiser.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 86 Proof | Elijah Craig Barrel Proof |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 12 years |
| Proof | 86 proof (43% ABV) | 124 proof (62% ABV) +38 proof |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$20 – $26 ~$62 less | ~$70 – $100 |
| 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 86 Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 86 Proof Elijah Craig Barrel Proof
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 3/9 heat: Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 9 out of 10
oak 4/9 oak: Old Forester 86 Proof 4 out of 10, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 9 out of 10
spice 5/7 spice: Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 7 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Old Forester 86 Proof 6 out of 10, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 7 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Proof and heat dominate the difference.
- 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.
- Elijah Craig Barrel Proof: The uncut, unfiltered version of the same 12-year Heaven Hill juice, and the intensity is the whole point. Thick fudge and char with cinnamon heat, a genuinely long finish, and enough proof that water meaningfully changes the glass.
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 Elijah Craig Barrel Proof if you want maximum intensity and oak depth, and you want to control the dilution yourself with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
Best enjoyed cocktails, highball, rocks (Old Forester 86 Proof); neat (Elijah Craig Barrel Proof).