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Old Forester Statesman vs Old Forester 86 Proof
On paper Old Forester Statesman and Old Forester 86 Proof are near neighbours — both high-rye bourbons — so price (~$50 – $55 vs. ~$20 – $26) is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester Statesman | Old Forester 86 Proof |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 95 proof (47.5% ABV) +9 proof | 86 proof (43% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$50 – $55 | ~$20 – $26 ~$30 less |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-10; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Old Forester Statesman
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Old Forester 86 Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester Statesman Old Forester 86 Proof
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 8/6 sweetness: Old Forester Statesman 8 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 6 out of 10
fruit 7/5 fruit: Old Forester Statesman 7 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10
oak 5/4 oak: Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 4 out of 10
heat 4/3 heat: Old Forester Statesman 4 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10
nuttiness 2/3 nuttiness: Old Forester Statesman 2 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10
spice 5/5 spice: Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The clearest split is how sweet each one drinks.
- Old Forester Statesman: Old Forester's fruit-forward middle child, first made for a spy movie tie-in. Bright cherry and brown sugar lead, with cocoa and a touch of the house banana note.
- 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.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Old Forester Statesman if you want a bright, cherry-sweet Old Forester that sits between the 100 and 1920 in weight with slightly more proof behind it.
- Go with Old Forester 86 Proof if you want the Old Forester house character at the lowest possible price.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Old Forester Statesman); cocktails, highball, rocks (Old Forester 86 Proof).