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Old Forester 86 Proof vs Redemption Bourbon
Comparing Old Forester 86 Proof and Redemption Bourbon is a closer contest than it looks — both are high-rye bourbons, separated mainly by price (~$20 – $26 vs. ~$25 – $32).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 86 Proof | Redemption Bourbon |
|---|---|---|
| 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) +2 proof | 84 proof (42% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$20 – $26 ~$6 less | ~$25 – $32 |
- 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.
Redemption Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 86 Proof Redemption Bourbon
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 5/7 spice: Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10, Redemption Bourbon 7 out of 10
sweetness 6/5 sweetness: Old Forester 86 Proof 6 out of 10, Redemption Bourbon 5 out of 10
oak 4/4 oak: Old Forester 86 Proof 4 out of 10, Redemption Bourbon 4 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10, Redemption Bourbon 5 out of 10
heat 3/3 heat: Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10, Redemption Bourbon 3 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10, Redemption Bourbon 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.
- Redemption Bourbon: Straightforward sourced MGP at a modest proof, and about as clear a reference sample of the high-rye MGP profile as you can buy. Thin neat, but a reliable and inexpensive cocktail base.
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 Redemption Bourbon if you want an inexpensive, unambiguous example of the MGP high-rye style for mixing.
Best enjoyed cocktails, highball, rocks (Old Forester 86 Proof); old-fashioned, cocktails, highball (Redemption Bourbon).