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Old Forester 86 Proof vs Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond
Old Forester 86 Proof and Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an old-guard, rye-forward classic versus an old-guard, wheat-forward classic.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 86 Proof | Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | 68% corn, 20% wheat, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 9 years |
| Proof | 86 proof (43% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +14 proof |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$20 – $26 ~$122 less | ~$110 – $180 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Allocated |
- 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.
Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 86 Proof Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 5/2 spice: Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 2 out of 10
oak 4/7 oak: Old Forester 86 Proof 4 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10
sweetness 6/8 sweetness: Old Forester 86 Proof 6 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 8 out of 10
fruit 5/6 fruit: Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10
heat 3/4 heat: Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald 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.
- Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond: The decanter series, released twice a year at varying ages, and Heaven Hill's most serious wheated statement. Age shows as polished oak and stewed fruit rather than tannin, but you pay handsomely for the bottle.
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 Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond if you want an aged, bonded wheater in a presentation bottle and the price is not the obstacle with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed cocktails, highball, rocks (Old Forester 86 Proof); neat (Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond).