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. Knob Creek Single Barrel and Old Forester 1920 are very good yet different bourbons. The chart can’t fully capture it all, but this direct comparison shows that Knob Creek Single Barrel is the superior bourbon for me. It’s an absolute steal. If there’s only one bourbon you can have in your drink cabinet, the Old Forester bourbon is your best choice. A decent choice that doesn’t blow either your money, not your mind, the Old Forester is easy on the palate. As a go-to staple, it is an excellent, versatile choice that is either bland or overpowering. For enthusiasts who want a real taste of rustic America’s bourbon history, you can experience flavors that are in many ways as close to the original bourbon as possible.

Old Forester 1920 Bourbon Review - Bourbon Obsessed℠ Old Forester 1920 Bourbon Review - Bourbon Obsessed℠

Nose: Top notes of orange blossom and cedar. Soon develops the classic rye bread warmth and a lingering waft of buttered pancakes. We may sell, license, transfer, assign or in any other way dispose of the Service (including Members) to any third party without any notification to you, e.g. (but without limitation) in connection with any reorganization, restructuring, merger or sale, or other transfer of assets. Editor’s Note: A sample of this whiskey was provided to us by those behind it. The Whiskey Wash, while appreciative of this, keeps full independent editorial control over this article. Each and every Member must be of legal drinking age in its country of residence to be allowed to use the Service. If no such law exists in a Member’s country of residence, the Member has to be over 21 years old to use the Service. We have the right to ask you to provide proof of your age and/or to provide further identification to prevent underage usage and/or for any other legal or legitimate purpose. By using the Service, and by creating an account you represent, warrant and confirm that you are of legal age.

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

It was crafted to pay homage to the Prohibition and represent the rich flavor and vintage barrel strength.

Every year, Old Forester releases their most anticipated whisky, Birthday Bourbon. This year’s release was a 12-year-old blend created from 119 barrels of the good stuff. 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. Old Forester 1920 boasts a higher alcohol proof making it bolder, richer, and more flavorful than Old Forester 1910.

Old Forester 1920 Review – Blog - Bourbonr I Was Wrong: Old Forester 1920 Review – Blog - Bourbonr

Old Forester is surprisingly bright in comparison, filled with honey, vanilla, mint, freshly cut pine, and lighter fruits such as apple, peach, and lemon, mint, and freshly cut pine. While there are notes of nuts, charred wood, and spice, they pale in comparison to Knob Creek. It’s thinner mouthfeel and more alcohol-forward nature, contributing to the bright and effervescent sensation that also emits a stronger malt and dough scent, reinforces Old Forester 1920’s relative youth. After initial maturation in new oak barrels, Old Forester 1910 is dumped in heavily charred, lightly toasted barrels for second maturation, which is quite noticeable in tasting notes. Tasting Notes Old Forester 1920 Prohibition StyleWithout prejudice to the section Liability below, the Service may be temporarily unavailable during maintenance, updates, etc. We shall make reasonable efforts to inform you of any unavailability due to maintenance or updates. One of the first things that comes to mind with this bourbon is a likeness to a stout beer, no different than what I noticed in Old Forester’s 2013 Birthday Bourbon. That’s not to say it tastes like a beer, but where porters and stouts are often rich, chocolatey, dark beers, 1920 is a rich, chocolatey, dark bourbon. This characteristic is evident immediately. Not surprisingly, I prefer darker beers and also really enjoy this bourbon. It’s one of the few bourbons I’ve ever had that I took an instant liking to on my first sip. 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. 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. For the re-evaluation, I shared the juice neat from Glencairn glasses with my daughter and fellow Whiskey for the Ages reviewer Hannah.

Old Forester Statesman Review - Bourbon Culture Old Forester Statesman Review - Bourbon Culture

Belle Meade doesn’t get as much attention as so many whiskey brands out there, but the distillery is producing incredible juice. I’m partial to the sherry barrel expression because I love spirits with nutty, umami notes.” - Kat Odell, author of Day Drinking . Interesting nose, the alcohol is noticeable, but more through intense heat in the nose than through the typical smell of ethanol, beautiful peanut dipped in toffee comes first, manuka honey, bitter orange, vanilla, cinnamon, hint of anise, grapefruit, but the subtle ostensible peanut is the most exciting A favorite of bartenders, 100 proof honors the legacy of founder George Garvin Brown, who put his signature on every bottle. And this bourbon is definitely one he would be proud to have his name on today. The Old Forester 1920 and 1910 used a similar mash bill ratio: 72% corn, 18% rye, and 10% malted barley. Carbon copy of the aroma with a slight addition of some grainy/farmy notes peeking through towards the end.Nose: Strong cherry and dark fruit notes dominate the nose, and some light notes of caramel and seasoned oak linger underneath. Old Forester 1920 Prohibition style bourbon is easily my favorite expression of the Whiskey Row Series. I’ve been a fan of Old Forester Signature, and 1920 Prohibition Style bourbon is has a similar flavor profile but much stronger. If I had one minor gripe, it would be that this expression likely started as normal barrels of Old Forester distillate, with a barrel entry proof of 125. If Brown-Forman really wanted to make an interesting bourbon, barreling some bourbon at 100 proof for a future release would be a more accurate reflection of a prohibition style whiskey. Palate: On the front palate, a very brief berry note leads off the front and the flavor transitions to caramel and toasted nut notes. In the mid-palate, the caramel note drops off and seasoned oak and caramelized sugar lead into a light cream and seasoned oak finish. Final Thoughts and Score/Buy A Bottle: Score: 88/100 On the nose: Brandied cherries, but also something more serious. I need to really concentrate on this one (which I like) to tease out the individual aromatic nuances. There’s a touch of dried firewood that slowly expands to encompass ground cinnamon, tarragon, and thyme. There’s a momentary whiff of latex that makes me feel slightly quizzical, though this recedes soon enough, returning my focus to those ample, concentrated cherry notes. In total, this gives the sense of being very rich.