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Old Forester 86 Proof vs Wild Turkey Rare Breed
Old Forester 86 Proof and Wild Turkey Rare Breed sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an old-guard, rye-forward classic versus an uncut, rye-forward heavyweight.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 86 Proof | Wild Turkey Rare Breed |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| 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) | 116 proof (58% ABV) +30 proof |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$20 – $26 ~$27 less | ~$45 – $55 |
- 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 Rare Breed
Good flavor.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 86 Proof Wild Turkey Rare Breed
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 3/8 heat: Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10, Wild Turkey Rare Breed 8 out of 10
oak 4/8 oak: Old Forester 86 Proof 4 out of 10, Wild Turkey Rare Breed 8 out of 10
spice 5/8 spice: Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10, Wild Turkey Rare Breed 8 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10, Wild Turkey Rare Breed 4 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Old Forester 86 Proof 6 out of 10, Wild Turkey Rare Breed 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10, Wild Turkey Rare Breed 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land very differently on the palate for heat.
- 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 Rare Breed: Barrel-proof Wild Turkey at a price that still looks like a mistake. Everything the 101 does with considerably more force, and one of the most consistently praised bottles in its category.
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 Rare Breed if you want barrel-proof spice and oak with a reputation to match, at half what comparable bottles cost with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
Best enjoyed cocktails, highball, rocks (Old Forester 86 Proof); neat, old-fashioned (Wild Turkey Rare Breed).