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Penelope Toasted Series vs Old Forester 100 Proof
On paper Penelope Toasted Series and Old Forester 100 Proof are near neighbours — both high-rye bourbons — so price (~$55 – $70 vs. ~$26 – $32) is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Penelope Toasted Series | Old Forester 100 Proof |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$55 – $70 | ~$26 – $32 ~$34 less |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-10; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Penelope Toasted Series
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Old Forester 100 Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Penelope Toasted Series Old Forester 100 Proof
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 5/6 spice: Penelope Toasted Series 5 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 6 out of 10
oak 7/6 oak: Penelope Toasted Series 7 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 6 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: Penelope Toasted Series 4 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 5 out of 10
sweetness 7/7 sweetness: Penelope Toasted Series 7 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 7 out of 10
heat 5/5 heat: Penelope Toasted Series 5 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Penelope Toasted Series 3 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land close together on every flavor axis — the differences are in texture and proof more than character.
- Penelope Toasted Series: Finished in a second, freshly toasted barrel, which pushes it toward toffee, roasted coffee and darker oak. The toast level changes from batch to batch.
- Old Forester 100 Proof: The bottle most people should buy from this range: the same recipe as the 86 with enough proof to actually taste it. One of the strongest arguments on the shelf for spending six dollars more.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Penelope Toasted Series if you want a toasty, coffee-and-toffee bourbon from a second-barrel finish with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
- Go with Old Forester 100 Proof if you want the best value in the Old Forester range and a superb old-fashioned base.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Toasted Series); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Old Forester 100 Proof).