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Old Forester 86 Proof vs Old Grand-Dad 114
Old Forester 86 Proof and Old Grand-Dad 114 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 | Old Grand-Dad 114 |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | 63% corn, 27% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 86 proof (43% ABV) | 114 proof (57% ABV) +28 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$20 – $26 ~$9 less | ~$28 – $35 |
- Old Grand-Dad 114 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.
Old Grand-Dad 114
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 86 Proof Old Grand-Dad 114
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 3/8 heat: Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10, Old Grand-Dad 114 8 out of 10
spice 5/9 spice: Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10, Old Grand-Dad 114 9 out of 10
oak 4/6 oak: Old Forester 86 Proof 4 out of 10, Old Grand-Dad 114 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/5 nuttiness: Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10, Old Grand-Dad 114 5 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10, Old Grand-Dad 114 4 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Old Forester 86 Proof 6 out of 10, Old Grand-Dad 114 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land very differently on the palate for heat.
- 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 Grand-Dad 114: The best proof-per-dollar in American whiskey and it is not especially close. The 27% rye mash at 114 proof is loud, peppery and completely unsubtle, which is exactly why it makes such a good old-fashioned.
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 Old Grand-Dad 114 if you want maximum rye spice and proof for under thirty dollars.
Best enjoyed cocktails, highball, rocks (Old Forester 86 Proof); neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Old Grand-Dad 114).