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Old Forester 86 Proof vs W.L. Weller Full Proof
Old Forester 86 Proof and W.L. Weller Full Proof sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an old-guard, rye-forward classic versus an old-guard, wheat-forward classic.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 86 Proof | W.L. Weller Full Proof |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 86 proof (43% ABV) | 114 proof (57% ABV) +28 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$20 – $26 ~$62 less | ~$50 – $120 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Allocated |
- W.L. Weller Full Proof 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.
W.L. Weller Full Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 86 Proof W.L. Weller Full Proof
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 3/7 heat: Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10, W.L. Weller Full Proof 7 out of 10
sweetness 6/8 sweetness: Old Forester 86 Proof 6 out of 10, W.L. Weller Full Proof 8 out of 10
spice 5/3 spice: Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10, W.L. Weller Full Proof 3 out of 10
oak 4/6 oak: Old Forester 86 Proof 4 out of 10, W.L. Weller Full Proof 6 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10, W.L. Weller Full Proof 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10, W.L. Weller Full Proof 3 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.
- W.L. Weller Full Proof: Weller's wheated bourbon bottled at its barrel-entry proof of 114, without chill filtering. Coffee cake, caramel and cinnamon with a bold, warming body.
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 W.L. Weller Full Proof if you want a bold, sweet wheater bottled at barrel-entry proof with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
Best enjoyed cocktails, highball, rocks (Old Forester 86 Proof); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (W.L. Weller Full Proof).