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Old Forester 86 Proof vs Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve
Old Forester 86 Proof and Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an old-guard, rye-forward classic versus an old-guard, rye-forward classic.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 86 Proof | Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 9 years |
| Proof | 86 proof (43% ABV) | 120 proof (60% ABV) +34 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$20 – $26 ~$27 less | ~$45 – $55 |
- Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 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.
Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 86 Proof Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 3/8 heat: Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10, Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 8 out of 10
oak 4/8 oak: Old Forester 86 Proof 4 out of 10, Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 8 out of 10
nuttiness 3/7 nuttiness: Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10, Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 7 out of 10
spice 5/7 spice: Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10, Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 7 out of 10
fruit 5/3 fruit: Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10, Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 3 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Old Forester 86 Proof 6 out of 10, Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 6 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.
- Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve: The same nine-year Knob Creek juice bottled from a single barrel at 120 proof, and the extra strength suits it. Everything the standard bottling does, turned up — with the barrel-to-barrel variation that comes with the format.
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 Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve if you want the Beam profile at serious proof for well under what most barrel-strength bourbons cost.
Best enjoyed cocktails, highball, rocks (Old Forester 86 Proof); neat, old-fashioned (Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve).