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Old Forester 86 Proof vs Jefferson's Reserve Very Old
Old Forester 86 Proof and Jefferson's Reserve Very Old sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an old-guard, rye-forward classic versus a blender-built, classically built bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 86 Proof | Jefferson's Reserve Very Old |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 86 proof (43% ABV) | 90.2 proof (45.1% ABV) +4 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$20 – $26 ~$37 less | ~$55 – $65 |
- Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 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.
Jefferson's Reserve Very Old
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 86 Proof Jefferson's Reserve Very Old
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 4/7 oak: Old Forester 86 Proof 4 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 7 out of 10
fruit 5/6 fruit: Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 6 out of 10
heat 3/4 heat: Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 4 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Old Forester 86 Proof 6 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 6 out of 10
spice 5/5 spice: Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 3 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.
- Jefferson's Reserve Very Old: The older, drier sibling of Jefferson's Very Small Batch. Buttery toffee and dried fruit sit on a firm, slightly smoky oak backbone, and the finish turns peppery and long.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Old Forester 86 Proof if you want the Old Forester house character at the lowest possible price.
- Go with Jefferson's Reserve Very Old if you want a mature, oak-driven blend with dried fruit and a dry, peppery finish at an easy proof.
Best enjoyed cocktails, highball, rocks (Old Forester 86 Proof); neat, rocks (Jefferson's Reserve Very Old).