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Old Forester 86 Proof vs Wilderness Trail Bottled-in-Bond
Comparing Old Forester 86 Proof and Wilderness Trail Bottled-in-Bond reveals a matchup between a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple and a modern, wheated craft expression.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 86 Proof | Wilderness Trail Bottled-in-Bond |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | 64% corn, 24% wheat, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 6 years |
| Proof | 86 proof (43% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +14 proof |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$20 – $26 ~$30 less | ~$45 – $60 |
- 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.
Wilderness Trail Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 86 Proof Wilderness Trail Bottled-in-Bond
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 5/3 spice: Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10, Wilderness Trail Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10
heat 3/5 heat: Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10, Wilderness Trail Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Old Forester 86 Proof 6 out of 10, Wilderness Trail Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10
oak 4/5 oak: Old Forester 86 Proof 4 out of 10, Wilderness Trail Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
fruit 5/6 fruit: Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10, Wilderness Trail Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10, Wilderness Trail Bottled-in-Bond 4 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.
- Wilderness Trail Bottled-in-Bond: A sweet-mash, bonded wheated bourbon from a distillery founded by two fermentation scientists, and the technical care shows in how clean it tastes. One of the strongest craft arguments on the shelf.
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 Wilderness Trail Bottled-in-Bond if you want a bonded, sweet-mash wheater from a modern distillery doing genuinely careful work with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed cocktails, highball, rocks (Old Forester 86 Proof); neat, rocks (Wilderness Trail Bottled-in-Bond).