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Old Forester 86 Proof vs Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel
Comparing Old Forester 86 Proof and Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel reveals a matchup between a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple and a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 86 Proof | Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | No age statement |
| Proof | 86 proof (43% ABV) | 110 proof (55% ABV) +24 proof |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$20 – $26 ~$40 less | ~$55 – $70 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- 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 Single Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 86 Proof Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 4/8 oak: Old Forester 86 Proof 4 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 8 out of 10
heat 3/7 heat: Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 7 out of 10
spice 5/8 spice: Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 8 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 4 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Old Forester 86 Proof 6 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 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 Single Barrel: Non-chill-filtered single barrels at 110 proof, and the format that store picks have made a cult of. Concentrated Wild Turkey character with a texture the standard bottlings do not have.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Old Forester 86 Proof if you want the Old Forester house character at the lowest possible price without hunting for it.
- Go with Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel if you want concentrated Wild Turkey character with single-barrel variation and real texture with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed cocktails, highball, rocks (Old Forester 86 Proof); neat, old-fashioned (Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel).