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Russell’s Reserve 10 Year vs Old Forester 86 Proof
Russell’s Reserve 10 Year and Old Forester 86 Proof are cut from similar cloth: two takes on high-rye bourbons, where the real difference is price (~$40 – $50 vs. ~$20 – $26).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Russell’s Reserve 10 Year | Old Forester 86 Proof |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | 10 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) +4 proof | 86 proof (43% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$40 – $50 | ~$20 – $26 ~$22 less |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Russell’s Reserve 10 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Old Forester 86 Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Russell’s Reserve 10 Year Old Forester 86 Proof
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 8/4 oak: Russell’s Reserve 10 Year 8 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 4 out of 10
spice 6/5 spice: Russell’s Reserve 10 Year 6 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: Russell’s Reserve 10 Year 4 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10
heat 4/3 heat: Russell’s Reserve 10 Year 4 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Russell’s Reserve 10 Year 6 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Russell’s Reserve 10 Year 3 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- Russell’s Reserve 10 Year: Ten years of Wild Turkey at a restrained 90 proof, which trades the 101's punch for polish. More oak and more composure, and one of the better age-stated bottles at its price.
- 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 Russell’s Reserve 10 Year if you want an age-stated, oak-forward Wild Turkey with the volume turned down.
- Go with Old Forester 86 Proof if you want the Old Forester house character at the lowest possible price.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Russell’s Reserve 10 Year); cocktails, highball, rocks (Old Forester 86 Proof).