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Old Forester 86 Proof vs New Riff Bottled-in-Bond
Comparing Old Forester 86 Proof and New Riff Bottled-in-Bond is a closer contest than it looks — both are high-rye bourbons, separated mainly by proof (86 vs. 100).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 86 Proof | New Riff Bottled-in-Bond |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | 65% corn, 30% rye, 5% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 4 years |
| Proof | 86 proof (43% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +14 proof |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$20 – $26 ~$19 less | ~$38 – $45 |
- 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.
New Riff Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 86 Proof New Riff Bottled-in-Bond
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 5/9 spice: Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10, New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 9 out of 10
heat 3/6 heat: Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10, New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10
sweetness 6/4 sweetness: Old Forester 86 Proof 6 out of 10, New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10
oak 4/5 oak: Old Forester 86 Proof 4 out of 10, New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10, New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10, New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Rye spice is the dividing line 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.
- New Riff Bottled-in-Bond: At 30% rye this is about as spice-forward as bourbon gets before becoming rye whiskey. Peppery and herbal with mint and dill, non-chill-filtered for texture, and noticeably dry rather than sweet.
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 New Riff Bottled-in-Bond if you want aggressive rye spice and a dry, herbal profile from a modern craft distillery with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed cocktails, highball, rocks (Old Forester 86 Proof); neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (New Riff Bottled-in-Bond).