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Old Forester 86 Proof vs Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel
Old Forester 86 Proof and Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an old-guard, rye-forward classic versus an old-guard, classically built classic.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 86 Proof | Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 86 proof (43% ABV) | 94 proof (47% ABV) +8 proof |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$20 – $26 ~$47 less | ~$60 – $80 |
| 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 Toasted Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 86 Proof Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 4/9 oak: Old Forester 86 Proof 4 out of 10, Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 9 out of 10
sweetness 6/8 sweetness: Old Forester 86 Proof 6 out of 10, Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 8 out of 10
nuttiness 3/5 nuttiness: Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10, Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 5 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10, Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 4 out of 10
heat 3/4 heat: Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10, Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 4 out of 10
spice 5/5 spice: Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10, Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- 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 Toasted Barrel: Finished in a second toasted (not charred) barrel, which produces an unmistakable toasted-marshmallow note. Sweet and heavily wooded, and one of the more distinctive finishes any major producer makes.
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 Toasted Barrel if you want a distinctive toasted-oak, marshmallow-sweet finish you will not find in a standard bourbon with slightly more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed cocktails, highball, rocks (Old Forester 86 Proof); neat, rocks (Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel).