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Willett Pot Still Reserve vs Old Forester 86 Proof
Put Willett Pot Still Reserve next to Old Forester 86 Proof and you have a contemporary, corn-forward craft build set against a classic, high-rye stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Willett Pot Still Reserve | Old Forester 86 Proof |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 94 proof (47% ABV) +8 proof | 86 proof (43% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$45 – $60 | ~$20 – $26 ~$30 less |
- Willett Pot Still Reserve does not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Willett Pot Still Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Old Forester 86 Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Willett Pot Still Reserve Old Forester 86 Proof
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 6/4 oak: Willett Pot Still Reserve 6 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 4 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Willett Pot Still Reserve 7 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 6 out of 10
fruit 6/5 fruit: Willett Pot Still Reserve 6 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10
heat 4/3 heat: Willett Pot Still Reserve 4 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Willett Pot Still Reserve 4 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10
spice 5/5 spice: Willett Pot Still Reserve 5 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Oak is doing most of the differentiating here.
- Willett Pot Still Reserve: Famous first for the pot-still-shaped decanter and second for the whiskey, which is a fair ordering. Pleasant, sweet and fruit-leaning, with a good deal of the price attached to the glass.
- 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 Willett Pot Still Reserve if you want a distinctive bottle on the shelf and an easy, fruit-forward pour inside it with slightly more proof behind it.
- Go with Old Forester 86 Proof if you want the Old Forester house character at the lowest possible price.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Willett Pot Still Reserve); cocktails, highball, rocks (Old Forester 86 Proof).