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Old Forester 86 Proof vs Old Grand-Dad Bonded
Old Forester 86 Proof and Old Grand-Dad Bonded are cut from similar cloth: two takes on high-rye bourbons, where the real difference is proof (86 vs. 100).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 86 Proof | Old Grand-Dad Bonded |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 4 years |
| Proof | 86 proof (43% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +14 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$20 – $26 | ~$24 – $30 |
- Old Grand-Dad Bonded 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 Bonded
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 86 Proof Old Grand-Dad Bonded
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 5/8 spice: Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10, Old Grand-Dad Bonded 8 out of 10
heat 3/6 heat: Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10, Old Grand-Dad Bonded 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/5 nuttiness: Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10, Old Grand-Dad Bonded 5 out of 10
sweetness 6/5 sweetness: Old Forester 86 Proof 6 out of 10, Old Grand-Dad Bonded 5 out of 10
oak 4/5 oak: Old Forester 86 Proof 4 out of 10, Old Grand-Dad Bonded 5 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10, Old Grand-Dad Bonded 4 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 Grand-Dad Bonded: A bonded 100-proof high-rye bourbon for the price of a mixer, and one of the great bargains on the shelf. Cleaner and less overwhelming than the 114 while keeping the peppery rye backbone.
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 Bonded if you want a bonded, high-rye workhorse at mixer money with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed cocktails, highball, rocks (Old Forester 86 Proof); neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Old Grand-Dad Bonded).