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Old Forester 86 Proof vs Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond
Comparing Old Forester 86 Proof and Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond reveals a matchup between a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple and a traditional, even-keeled Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 86 Proof | Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | 4 years |
| Proof | 86 proof (43% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +14 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$20 – $26 | ~$16 – $22 |
- Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 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.
Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 86 Proof Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 3/5 heat: Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
oak 4/5 oak: Old Forester 86 Proof 4 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Old Forester 86 Proof 6 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10
spice 5/5 spice: Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 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.
- Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond: A bonded 100-proof bourbon at a price that barely seems possible, though distribution is patchy outside Kentucky. Unremarkable in the best way: it does everything a bourbon should and nothing extra.
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 Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond if you want a bonded Kentucky bourbon for under twenty dollars, if you can find it in your state with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed cocktails, highball, rocks (Old Forester 86 Proof); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond).