Compare
Old Forester 86 Proof vs Penelope Toasted Series
Old Forester 86 Proof and Penelope Toasted Series are cut from similar cloth: two takes on high-rye bourbons, where the real difference is price (~$20 – $26 vs. ~$55 – $70).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 86 Proof | Penelope Toasted Series |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 86 proof (43% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +14 proof |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$20 – $26 ~$40 less | ~$55 – $70 |
- 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 Toasted Series
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 86 Proof Penelope Toasted Series
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 4/7 oak: Old Forester 86 Proof 4 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 7 out of 10
heat 3/5 heat: Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 5 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Old Forester 86 Proof 6 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 7 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 4 out of 10
spice 5/5 spice: Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Oak is doing most of the differentiating 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.
- Penelope Toasted Series: Finished in a second, freshly toasted barrel, which pushes it toward toffee, roasted coffee and darker oak. The toast level changes from batch to batch.
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 Toasted Series if you want a toasty, coffee-and-toffee bourbon from a second-barrel finish with more proof behind it and with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
Best enjoyed cocktails, highball, rocks (Old Forester 86 Proof); neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Toasted Series).