Old Forester Barrel Strength Bourbon
In-Depth Review
Nobody talks about Old Forester bottle design. But that’s a shame – because some of their bottles are actually quite beautiful. For example, take this Old Forester Barrel Strength bourbon. It’s a single barrel cranked all the way up to cask strength, which in today’s day in age, means they could have easily just phoned in the bottle design and called it a day. But instead, they slapped a nice blue label on a gorgeously tapered bottle that effortlessly blends both modern and old school design. It feels hefty and expensive. Exactly what you want when you’re spending good money on bourbon. I had forgotten how much I liked the look of these bottles till I found this one sitting on a shelf all by its lonesome.
And while it may seem like I am getting far too into bottle design, it’s really about a larger point that nobody seems to be talking about Old Forester at all nowadays. Save for the annual releases of Birthday Bourbon and their regionally limited 117 series, it feels like the excitement has shifted away from what Old Forester. Maybe it’s due to lackluster reception of their 1924 expression, or because the overall bourbon market seems to be cooling, but whatever the case, it’s led to seeing more of this barrel strength bourbon on shelves than ever before. This one came courtesy of Showcase Wine and Spirits in Pasadena, and clocks in at a healthy 131.5 proof. It was taken from Floor 7 in Warehouse K and for a single barrel of barrel strength Kentucky bourbon, its $79.99 price almost felt like a good deal. So, let’s dive in and see what we got.
Age: At least 4 years old
ABV: 65.75%
Cask: New Oak
MSRP: $79.99
Distillery Name: Old Forester
Review Date: 1/24/25
Color: Rich Mahogony
Nose: The nose begins by showing waves of warm caramel drizzle, red apples, browned butter, and heavy toasted oak. As I let it sit for a few minutes, more of a sweet grape note pops out that reminds me of a young Armagnac. Even after settling down, there are still bursts of heat that can make the nose feel a bit closed off and difficult to pin down.
Palate: On the palate, the heat continues with bright oak, Red Hot candies, and cinnamon sticks. This one packs an unexpected wallop of spice. After a few sips, more red fruits and brown butter appear alongside a lovely, charred oak note. On the mouthfeel, it’s hard to fight past some of the heat, but provides a nice viscosity on the tongue. This one is definitely a wood and spice driven sipper, with a high heat that can feel a bit overpowering at times.
Finish: Extremely long finish filled with anise, oak, and a bouquet of warm baking spices. The spice shifts from cinnamon to clove and warms the roof of the mouth before slowly fading into a great Kentucky hug. This one is happy to stick around for a long, long time.
Final Thoughts: If you’re looking for something to keep you warm on those long February evenings, Old Forester Barrel Strength bourbon might be one of your best bets. And while it’s important to caveat that every single barrel is going to be different (so your mileage may vary), this one leaves an overwhelming impression of spice and oak. There was none of the banana Laffy Taffy that you can sometimes find on Brown Forman products and instead was replaced by a spicy oak character instead of sickly sweetness. But despite the heavy spice, it’s a solid barrel proof offering at an attractive sub $80 price point. There’s lots to love on the nose, and a finish that will stay with you forever, so if you’re looking for a little more spice in your life, this might be your ticket to a great time.
