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Old Forester 86 Proof vs Willett Pot Still Reserve
Put Old Forester 86 Proof next to Willett Pot Still Reserve and you have a classic, high-rye stalwart set against a contemporary, corn-forward craft build.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 86 Proof | Willett Pot Still Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional 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) | 94 proof (47% ABV) +8 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$20 – $26 ~$30 less | ~$45 – $60 |
- Willett Pot Still 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.
Willett Pot Still Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 86 Proof Willett Pot Still Reserve
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 4/6 oak: Old Forester 86 Proof 4 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 6 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Old Forester 86 Proof 6 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 7 out of 10
fruit 5/6 fruit: Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 6 out of 10
heat 3/4 heat: Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 4 out of 10
spice 5/5 spice: Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Oak is doing most of the differentiating here.
- 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.
- Willett Pot Still Reserve: Famous first for the pot-still-shaped decanter and second for the whiskey, which is a fair ordering. Pleasant, sweet and fruit-leaning, with a good deal of the price attached to the glass.
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 Willett Pot Still Reserve if you want a distinctive bottle on the shelf and an easy, fruit-forward pour inside it with slightly more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed cocktails, highball, rocks (Old Forester 86 Proof); neat, rocks (Willett Pot Still Reserve).