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Old Forester 86 Proof vs Stagg
Put Old Forester 86 Proof next to Stagg and you have a classic, high-rye stalwart set against a full-proof, unfiltered heavyweight.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 86 Proof | Stagg |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 86 proof (43% ABV) | 130 proof (65% ABV) +44 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$20 – $26 ~$72 less | ~$70 – $120 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- Stagg does not publish an official mash bill.
- 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.
Stagg
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 86 Proof Stagg
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 3/10 heat: Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10, Stagg 10 out of 10
oak 4/9 oak: Old Forester 86 Proof 4 out of 10, Stagg 9 out of 10
spice 5/7 spice: Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10, Stagg 7 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Old Forester 86 Proof 6 out of 10, Stagg 7 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10, Stagg 4 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10, Stagg 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Proof and heat dominate the difference.
- 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.
- Stagg: Uncut and unfiltered Buffalo Trace at a proof that demands respect. Dark chocolate, espresso and charred oak arrive with genuine heat, and a few drops of water unlock a surprising amount of fruit.
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 Stagg if you want the biggest, hottest, most concentrated expression of the Buffalo Trace profile with significantly more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed cocktails, highball, rocks (Old Forester 86 Proof); neat (Stagg).