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Old Forester 86 Proof vs Russell’s Reserve 10 Year
Old Forester 86 Proof and Russell’s Reserve 10 Year are cut from similar cloth: two takes on high-rye bourbons, where the real difference is price (~$20 – $26 vs. ~$40 – $50).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 86 Proof | Russell’s Reserve 10 Year |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 10 years |
| Proof | 86 proof (43% ABV) | 90 proof (45% ABV) +4 proof |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$20 – $26 ~$22 less | ~$40 – $50 |
- 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.
Russell’s Reserve 10 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 86 Proof Russell’s Reserve 10 Year
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 4/8 oak: Old Forester 86 Proof 4 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 10 Year 8 out of 10
spice 5/6 spice: Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 10 Year 6 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 10 Year 4 out of 10
heat 3/4 heat: Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 10 Year 4 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Old Forester 86 Proof 6 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 10 Year 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 10 Year 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- 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.
- Russell’s Reserve 10 Year: Ten years of Wild Turkey at a restrained 90 proof, which trades the 101's punch for polish. More oak and more composure, and one of the better age-stated bottles at its price.
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 Russell’s Reserve 10 Year if you want an age-stated, oak-forward Wild Turkey with the volume turned down.
Best enjoyed cocktails, highball, rocks (Old Forester 86 Proof); neat, rocks (Russell’s Reserve 10 Year).