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Redemption Bourbon vs Old Forester 86 Proof
Comparing Redemption Bourbon and Old Forester 86 Proof is a closer contest than it looks — both are high-rye bourbons, separated mainly by price (~$25 – $32 vs. ~$20 – $26).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Redemption Bourbon | 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 | 84 proof (42% ABV) | 86 proof (43% ABV) +2 proof |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$25 – $32 | ~$20 – $26 ~$6 less |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Redemption Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Old Forester 86 Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Redemption Bourbon Old Forester 86 Proof
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 7/5 spice: Redemption Bourbon 7 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10
sweetness 5/6 sweetness: Redemption Bourbon 5 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 6 out of 10
oak 4/4 oak: Redemption Bourbon 4 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 4 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Redemption Bourbon 5 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10
heat 3/3 heat: Redemption Bourbon 3 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Redemption Bourbon 3 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Rye spice is the dividing line here.
- Redemption Bourbon: Straightforward sourced MGP at a modest proof, and about as clear a reference sample of the high-rye MGP profile as you can buy. Thin neat, but a reliable and inexpensive cocktail base.
- 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 Redemption Bourbon if you want an inexpensive, unambiguous example of the MGP high-rye style for mixing.
- Go with Old Forester 86 Proof if you want the Old Forester house character at the lowest possible price.
Best enjoyed old-fashioned, cocktails, highball (Redemption Bourbon); cocktails, highball, rocks (Old Forester 86 Proof).