Compare
Old Forester 86 Proof vs W.L. Weller Special Reserve
Put Old Forester 86 Proof next to W.L. Weller Special Reserve and you have a classic, high-rye stalwart set against a classic, high-wheat stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 86 Proof | W.L. Weller Special Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| 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) | 90 proof (45% ABV) +4 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$20 – $26 ~$22 less | ~$30 – $60 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Allocated |
- W.L. Weller Special Reserve 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 Special Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 86 Proof W.L. Weller Special Reserve
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 5/2 spice: Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10, W.L. Weller Special Reserve 2 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Old Forester 86 Proof 6 out of 10, W.L. Weller Special Reserve 7 out of 10
oak 4/4 oak: Old Forester 86 Proof 4 out of 10, W.L. Weller Special Reserve 4 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10, W.L. Weller Special Reserve 5 out of 10
heat 3/3 heat: Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10, W.L. Weller Special Reserve 3 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10, W.L. Weller Special Reserve 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The gap between these two is mostly about spice.
- 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 Special Reserve: The entry point to the Weller line and an easy introduction to wheated bourbon. Soft honey and vanilla with almost no rye bite, a bread-dough body, and a short, sweet finish that asks nothing of you.
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 Special Reserve if you want the softest, sweetest, most approachable wheated pour of the group.
Best enjoyed cocktails, highball, rocks (Old Forester 86 Proof); neat, rocks, highball (W.L. Weller Special Reserve).