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Woodford Reserve vs Old Forester 86 Proof
Woodford Reserve and Old Forester 86 Proof are cut from similar cloth: two takes on high-rye bourbons, where the real difference is price (~$35 – $42 vs. ~$20 – $26).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Woodford Reserve | Old Forester 86 Proof |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) +4 proof | 86 proof (43% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$35 – $42 | ~$20 – $26 ~$16 less |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Woodford Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Old Forester 86 Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Woodford Reserve Old Forester 86 Proof
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 6/4 oak: Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 4 out of 10
spice 6/5 spice: Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10
fruit 6/5 fruit: Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10
heat 4/3 heat: Woodford Reserve 4 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Woodford Reserve 3 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Oak is doing most of the differentiating here.
- Woodford Reserve: The most widely poured premium bourbon in America, and a genuinely well-made one. Dried fruit and cocoa over a balanced 18% rye mash, finished smooth enough to please almost anyone.
- 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 Woodford Reserve if you want a polished, widely available crowd-pleaser that never puts a foot wrong.
- Go with Old Forester 86 Proof if you want the Old Forester house character at the lowest possible price.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Woodford Reserve); cocktails, highball, rocks (Old Forester 86 Proof).