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Old Forester 86 Proof vs Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel
Put Old Forester 86 Proof next to Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel and you have a classic, high-rye stalwart set against a classic, corn-forward stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 86 Proof | Henry McKenna 10 Year Single 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 | 10 years |
| Proof | 86 proof (43% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +14 proof |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$20 – $26 ~$32 less | ~$40 – $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 86 Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 86 Proof Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 4/8 oak: Old Forester 86 Proof 4 out of 10, Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel 8 out of 10
heat 3/5 heat: Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10, Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/5 nuttiness: Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10, Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel 5 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10, Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel 4 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Old Forester 86 Proof 6 out of 10, Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel 6 out of 10
spice 5/5 spice: Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10, Henry McKenna 10 Year Single 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.
- Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel: A ten-year bonded single barrel, which is a specification almost nothing else on the shelf matches. Dry and oak-forward with real age showing, though barrel variation means bottles differ more than most.
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 Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel if you want a bonded, ten-year single barrel with genuine age at a sane price with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed cocktails, highball, rocks (Old Forester 86 Proof); neat, rocks (Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel).