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Old Forester 86 Proof vs Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon
Put Old Forester 86 Proof next to Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon and you have a classic, high-rye stalwart set against a contemporary, high-wheat craft build.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 86 Proof | Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | 75% corn, 15% wheat, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 4 years |
| Proof | 86 proof (43% ABV) | 87 proof (43.5% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$20 – $26 ~$20 less | ~$40 – $45 |
- 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.
Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon
Didn't care for this one.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 86 Proof Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 5/2 spice: Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10, Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon 2 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10, Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon 4 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Old Forester 86 Proof 6 out of 10, Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon 6 out of 10
oak 4/4 oak: Old Forester 86 Proof 4 out of 10, Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon 4 out of 10
heat 3/3 heat: Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10, Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon 3 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10, Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon 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.
- Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon: A farm-to-bottle wheater from northern Illinois. Soft red winter wheat keeps it gentle and bready, with caramel and vanilla up front and very little bite at 87 proof.
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 Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon if you want a soft, easygoing wheated bourbon made start to finish on one Midwest farm.
Best enjoyed cocktails, highball, rocks (Old Forester 86 Proof); rocks, highball, cocktails (Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon).