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Old Forester 86 Proof vs Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select
Comparing Old Forester 86 Proof and Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select reveals a matchup between a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple and a traditional, even-keeled Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 86 Proof | Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Tennessee Whiskey |
| Mash Bill | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | 80% corn, 8% 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 ~$27 less | ~$45 – $55 |
| 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.
Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 86 Proof Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 4/7 oak: Old Forester 86 Proof 4 out of 10, Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select 7 out of 10
heat 3/5 heat: Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10, Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select 5 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10, Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10, Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select 4 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Old Forester 86 Proof 6 out of 10, Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select 6 out of 10
spice 5/5 spice: Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10, Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select 5 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.
- Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select: Barrels pulled from the top of the rickhouse, where the temperature swings are hardest, and it shows as considerably more oak than any standard Jack. A genuinely different proposition from the black label.
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 Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select if you want a distinctly oakier, more concentrated Tennessee whiskey with barrel-to-barrel character with slightly more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed cocktails, highball, rocks (Old Forester 86 Proof); neat, rocks (Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select).