Blantons used to be my sipper but Four Roses Single Barrel and Wild Turkey Rare Breed are my current favorites based on their smooth velvety feel. This is an excellent change of pace with a lot of character. This is a perfectly suitable entry-point whisky. It’s great for mixing but needs a fair bit of ice to work as a sipper. And that’s why we’re starting this ranking with it. Old Forestes knows this is a mixing bourbon, so let’s treat it like that. 13. Old Forester Rye Whisky Brown-Forman My Malt colleague Matt Kusek once argued that you should never buy whiskey as a present for a whiskey lover. He reasoned that, for a serious enthusiast, all the whiskey that was desirable but unobtainable to them would also be unobtainable for the prospective gift giver. While I’d agree with “Kusek’s Law” in a general sense, I’d add this important exception to the rule: if you are going to buy a bottle of bourbon to gift to a whiskey lover, make it 1920. It was crafted to pay homage to the Prohibition and represent the rich flavor and vintage barrel strength. This is, without a doubt, the king of the current core line and makes sense why I keep getting so many requests to review it. The aroma and palate are dark and heavy, but in a warm and inviting way – like a giant bear blanket. The finsh pulls out the best notes from the palate and fades away slowly.

Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style Bourbon - Breaking Bourbon

If you are a fan of sweeter and lighter bourbons, go with Old Forester 1910 but if you want a solid dram and more classic bourbon taste, go with Old Forester 1920. The Brown-Forman distillery also uses the same mash bill for their premium, high-end market bourbon, Woodford Reserve. Admittedly, the barrel seasoning makes all the difference between the two products. It is a high-rye recipe that contains a higher rye content than most bourbons. Despite its generous helping of rye, the Old Forester bourbon does not taste like Rye whiskey.

If any provision of these Terms is held invalid, the remainder of the Terms shall continue in full force and effect. If we decide not to exercise or enforce any right or provision of these Terms, such decision shall not constitute a waiver of such right or provision. In each of these categories, Old Forester has a contender among its broad range of bourbons. Though the annual release of the Birthday Bourbon expression inevitably results in disappointment for many hopeful sweepstakes entrants (this writer included), there’s plenty of Old Forester around, much of it achieving a level of price-adjusted quality that deserves a classification of “very good” or better. Old Forester is known as the first bottled bourbon, and two of the expressions from their Row Series have gathered so much attention for being great-tasting whiskeys. Interestingly, descendants of George Garvin Brown hold more than 70% of the company’s voting shares, so it is fair to say that bourbon has remained a family affair. Perhaps, that would explain why the Brown-Forman Corporation is one of the largest US-owned companies in the business of wines and spirits.

Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style Kentucky Straight Bourbon Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style Kentucky Straight Bourbon

Bottled at 43% alcohol by volume, with an 86 U.S. proof, The Old Forester has an average alcohol content for the bourbon market. Worth noting, the former Old Forester Signature has a 100 proof for 50% abv, while the Old Forester Birthday Bourbon, released first in 2002, has a 95 U.S. proof (for 47.5% abv). The Old Forester Statesman, which has been released as a marketing event along the film Kingsman: The Golden Circle, is also bottled at 95 proof. You can also find a wink to the 1920 -1933 period with the 1920 Prohibition Style Old Forester bourbon, bottled at 115 proof. Where is The Old Forester bourbon made? I tried this from a retailer in Louisville as well and it had a subtle nose of cherry blossom next to a woody maple syrup that almost felt like it had some of the bark in there next to a nice dose of winter spice. The taste complimented the nose with light florals and plummy fruit next to a touch of cherry syrup-soaked cedar planks and a bushel of dark spices. The mid-palate had a slight dark chocolate-covered espresso bean feel to it that led to a finish that was slightly bitter and full of dark fruit and warm spice. The Old Forester 1920 features a green tag on top of the bottle, the founder’s signature, and its alcohol-proof. Nothing in the Terms shall exclude or limit our liability for fraudulent misrepresentation or for death or personal injury resulting from gross negligence or willful misconduct by us. While they have their fair share of similarities on mash bills, ownership, and distillery, the two bourbons are more different than similar, especially on their tasting notes. Head To Head Battle History & OriginWhiskybase B.V. is the Dutch private limited liability company, having its statutory seat in Rotterdam, The Netherlands and its office at Zwaanshals 530, 3035 KS Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Whiskybase B.V. is registered with the Dutch Chamber of Commerce under no. 52072819. I do not contribute to these stories any more. I've seen too many whiskeys soar in price or disappear after appearing on them, and I won't have anything more to do with them. No slam on you, it's the crazed hoarders. Weller, Heaven Hill Bonded 6, Old Grand-Dad, Elijah Craig, Redbreast, Glenrothes, Highland Park, everything Japanese! Okay, I actually think Speyburn 10 is underrated—but no one will ever believe that.” - Lew Bryson , author of Whiskey Master Class . Carbon copy of the aroma with a slight addition of some grainy/farmy notes peeking through towards the end.

Old Forester 1920 Review [In Depth] - The Whiskey Shelf

The nose is sweet but more caramel and fruity. It has a hint of the cherry nose I’m used to with Old Forester. But, this is much warmer and rounded. It’s spicy with notes of cinnamon and minty. The taste is where this one becomes impressive. It’s viscous and syrupy. It’s sweet and spicy. There’s a caramel apple or dark cherry note. The finish is more leathery and woody. It blends to oakiness towards the end.

All of this is to say, Old Forester has been putting out a lot of great whisky for a mighty long while now. So we’re ranking all their standard and limited release bottles— 14 expressions, judged on taste alone.