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Penelope Toasted Series vs Old Forester 86 Proof
Penelope Toasted Series and Old Forester 86 Proof are cut from similar cloth: two takes on high-rye bourbons, where the real difference is price (~$55 – $70 vs. ~$20 – $26).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Penelope Toasted Series | Old Forester 86 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) +14 proof | 86 proof (43% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$55 – $70 | ~$20 – $26 ~$40 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 86 Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Penelope Toasted Series Old Forester 86 Proof
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 7/4 oak: Penelope Toasted Series 7 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 4 out of 10
heat 5/3 heat: Penelope Toasted Series 5 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Penelope Toasted Series 7 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 6 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: Penelope Toasted Series 4 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10
spice 5/5 spice: Penelope Toasted Series 5 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Penelope Toasted Series 3 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Oak is doing most of the differentiating here.
- 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 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 Penelope Toasted Series if you want a toasty, coffee-and-toffee bourbon from a second-barrel finish with more proof behind it and with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
- Go with Old Forester 86 Proof if you want the Old Forester house character at the lowest possible price.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Toasted Series); cocktails, highball, rocks (Old Forester 86 Proof).