Old Forester Barrel Strength - Single Barrel Pick (Bottles and Cans; Chicago, IL)
It is wonderful to be back after dry January (okay, damp because of a mid-month wedding but who’s keeping tabs). I wanted to start off with a store pick of a bottle from an incredibly historic distillery and from a local shop here which is a pleasure. If you ever find yourself in the North Center neighborhood of Chicago, IL, check out “Bottles and Cans”, excellent selection of craft beer and whiskey. This was one they got in the early spring of 2024.
Old Forester Distillery boasts a rich history as one of the most iconic names in bourbon. Founded in 1870 by George Garvin Brown, a pharmaceutical salesman, Old Forester was the first bourbon sold exclusively in sealed glass bottles, ensuring quality and consistency at a time when whiskey was often adulterated. This innovation earned it the title of "America's First Bottled Bourbon" and set the standard for modern bourbon production[1][5].
The brand was originally named "Old Forrester" after Dr. William Forrester, a physician who endorsed its medicinal use. The spelling was later simplified to "Forester." By 1902, Brown-Forman, the parent company, began distilling its own product after acquiring the B.F. Mattingly Distillery[1][5]. Despite challenges like the 1910 bottling line fire and Prohibition (1920–1933), Old Forester thrived. It was one of only six distilleries allowed to produce medicinal whiskey during Prohibition, making it the only bourbon continuously sold before, during, and after that era[3][5].
In 2018, Old Forester returned to its historic Whiskey Row location in Louisville, Kentucky, where it had operated from 1882 to 1919. The modern distillery showcases its heritage while featuring a fully operational cooperage on-site[1][2].
Old Forester Single Barrel Barrel Strength Bourbon is a testament to this legacy. Introduced as part of its premium offerings, this unfiltered bourbon is bottled straight from the barrel at varying proofs, highlighting bold flavors and unique characteristics. Each barrel delivers a distinct profile, offering enthusiasts a personalized experience of Old Forester’s craftsmanship[6][8].
Through innovation and resilience, Old Forester has cemented its place as a pioneer in bourbon history, blending tradition with modern excellence.
Review:
Nose: Baking spices, caramel, and cinnamon are strong on the initial smell. Oak characteristics start to present themselves after a while. It is a wonderful combination but also potent. These flavors are amplified by its’ blistering 132.8 proof. While you can sense that there is quite a bit of alcohol here by teh heat and depth of the flavors, you don’t get any ethanol or unpleasant notes here. Toward the end after letting this sit in the glass for 15-20 minutes, baked banana bread with brown butter floats around as the nuttiness from the bourbon becomes apparent. Don’t take nuttiness in this case to be a bad thing, it works really well.
Palate: This one is a heater. Immediately, I get pepper notes and brown sugar on the palate. Caramelized cherries and charred oak follow up after sitting on the tongue for a while. After going back in for a second sip when my palate has acclimated to the proof, almond extract and vanilla come out swinging and it is perfectly sweet. It is relatively oily on the palate and the flavors linger for a while after the sip. It is interesting that on the nose I got the banan bread and butter notes but I don’t get any of those on the palate. It can be best explained as if you ordered vanilla ice cream with shaved nutmeg, cherry sauce, and a more savory waffle cone. That’s what this is.
Finish: This finish is strong. The sweetness last on the front to middle of the tongue and on the back end, I start to get more vegetal, aged notes. This does not have an age statement but I’d guess it to maybe be 5-6 years old and I was just reading about how Old Forester uses heat cycling to help add potentially a bit more aged notes to younger stock (Climate controlled warehouses). While that gets mixed reception, I found it to work nicely in the bottlings favor on this store pick. The finish lasts baout 20-30 seconds and is flavorful all the way through. This is a strong bourbon.
Overall: 87. This is a banger of a bourbon. The heat I have to say is pretty forth-coming however. I feel that if you add a few drops of water or an ice cube to this, you could find it reaching a sweet spot for many bourbon-drinkers. The flavors are wonderufl and it is clear that this is quality. Not many negative things to say about it!
Value: 80/100; (+2 on the overall). This bottle retails for about $90. I think it is worth it at this price point for the quality of the flavors that you get within. While it is a store pick and the flavors will vary, Old Forester has managed to stay pretty reliable in its offerings and you can find only subtle nuances between various picks, which is a nod to their attention to detail with each barrel.
Availability: Limited availability. These are only offered as store picks so I would recommend finding a store or two and striking up a relationship with the employees. If this one drops and is for it’s retail price, I’d pick one up. I would have a hard time going above, say $105, but at $90 it is a great bottle to add to your shelf.
Citations:
[1] https://www.oldforester.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/FactSheet_OFD_History.docx-2.pdf
[2] https://www.onegirlwholeworld.com/north-america/old-forester-distillery-louisville/
[3] https://sippinghistory.com/2021/12/12/history-of-old-forester/
[4] https://distiller.com/articles/bourbon-breakdown-old-forester-whiskey-row-bourbon
[5] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Forester
[6] https://udiga.com/old-forester-whiskey-row/
[7] https://explorekyhistory.ky.gov/items/show/416
[8] https://www.oldforester.com/our-legacy/
