Compare
Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon vs Old Forester 86 Proof
Put Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon next to Old Forester 86 Proof and you have a contemporary, high-wheat craft build set against a classic, high-rye stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon | Old Forester 86 Proof |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 75% corn, 15% wheat, 10% malted barley | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | 4 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 87 proof (43.5% ABV) | 86 proof (43% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$40 – $45 | ~$20 – $26 ~$20 less |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-10; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon
Didn't care for this one.
Old Forester 86 Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon Old Forester 86 Proof
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 2/5 spice: Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon 2 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon 4 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon 6 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 6 out of 10
oak 4/4 oak: Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon 4 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 4 out of 10
heat 3/3 heat: Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon 3 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon 3 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The gap between these two is mostly about spice.
- Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon: A farm-to-bottle wheater from northern Illinois. Soft red winter wheat keeps it gentle and bready, with caramel and vanilla up front and very little bite at 87 proof.
- 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 Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon if you want a soft, easygoing wheated bourbon made start to finish on one Midwest farm.
- Go with Old Forester 86 Proof if you want the Old Forester house character at the lowest possible price.
Best enjoyed rocks, highball, cocktails (Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon); cocktails, highball, rocks (Old Forester 86 Proof).