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Old Forester 86 Proof vs Wild Turkey 101
Comparing Old Forester 86 Proof and Wild Turkey 101 is a closer contest than it looks — both are high-rye bourbons, separated mainly by proof (86 vs. 101).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 86 Proof | Wild Turkey 101 |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 86 proof (43% ABV) | 101 proof (50.5% ABV) +15 proof |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$20 – $26 | ~$25 – $30 |
- 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.
Wild Turkey 101
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 86 Proof Wild Turkey 101
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 5/8 spice: Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10, Wild Turkey 101 8 out of 10
oak 4/7 oak: Old Forester 86 Proof 4 out of 10, Wild Turkey 101 7 out of 10
heat 3/6 heat: Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10, Wild Turkey 101 6 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10, Wild Turkey 101 4 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Old Forester 86 Proof 6 out of 10, Wild Turkey 101 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10, Wild Turkey 101 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.
- Wild Turkey 101: The workhorse high-rye Kentucky bourbon and one of the best proof-to-price ratios anywhere. Vanilla and orange up front, then a genuinely spicy, peppery, tobacco-tinged middle that punches well above $25.
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 Wild Turkey 101 if you want bold rye spice and real proof at the lowest price of anything comparable.
Best enjoyed cocktails, highball, rocks (Old Forester 86 Proof); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Wild Turkey 101).