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Old Forester 86 Proof vs Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year
Put Old Forester 86 Proof next to Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year and you have a classic, high-rye stalwart set against an uncut, high-rye heavyweight.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 86 Proof | Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | 70% corn, 25% rye, 5% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 7 years |
| Proof | 86 proof (43% ABV) | 115.2 proof (57.6% ABV) +29 proof |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$20 – $26 ~$40 less | ~$60 – $65 |
- 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.
Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 86 Proof Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 3/8 heat: Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10, Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 8 out of 10
oak 4/7 oak: Old Forester 86 Proof 4 out of 10, Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 7 out of 10
spice 5/7 spice: Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10, Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 7 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Old Forester 86 Proof 6 out of 10, Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 7 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10, Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10, Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 3 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.
- Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year: Penelope's uncut flagship, now with a seven-year age statement. It is richer and spicier than the Four Grain, with caramel and rye spice carried by a lot of proof.
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 Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year if you want a well-priced, seven-year, uncut blend with real depth and spice with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
Best enjoyed cocktails, highball, rocks (Old Forester 86 Proof); neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year).