Old Forester 150th Anniversary Bourbon (Batch 01)

Tasting—2 oz. Neat in a glen cairn, then with 6-7 drops of water. Appearance is a deep reddish amber; the legs are thick and slow-moving. Nose—Caramel bull's-eye cream candies and dark red fruits dominate. The nose also shows off plenty of oak. It's a bit hot initially, but the aromas are rich and decadent. A little water brings out the best this bourbon has to offer. Palate—Cherries jubilee with a side of baked Alaska, all covered in caramel. Neat, it has a strong bite. This batch is serious! Then it gives way to some spiciness. A bit of nutmeg and perhaps allspice? Just a dusting of that, as the fruit and caramel are prominent. I can't get over the richness here. Water really helps tone down some of the ethanol and releases some nice cherry pie crust, but this is still a powerhouse! This is bourbon straight from the barrel, much like an older Booker's—unapologetically genuine. Finish—A looooooong finish! That cherry pie and crust, all coated in gooey caramel, is definitely for me! Overall—Hands down the best thing I have ever had from Old Forester. I have had every Birthday Bourbon offering in the last 5 years and sampled President's Choice 2019 (once), so you can judge my comparisons with your own Old Forester inventory. This is what bourbon should be—sweet, oaky, a bit thick, rustic, and shouting "look at me!" This bottle reminds me of one of my all-time favorites, Booker's Center Cut... but without the signature Jim Beam peanutiness. If you can get one, get one!

The color is a deep amber with a golden shimmer that seems to glow. An oily ring forms on the glass, though it takes a moment for visible legs to form. The aroma greets you with notes of burnt wood and a hint of cherry, followed by molasses, vanilla, potent baking spices, and a subtle floral rye scent. The taste is quite dry initially, spreading across the palate with strong baking spices, cherry, and wood. While your mouth tingles, the sweeter, creamier notes from the nose emerge but struggle to overcome the spice. With subsequent sips, the spices do mellow, offering a robust cinnamon and cherry flavor in a mixture that's slightly bitter, yet not unpleasant. The conclusion is moderately long, with wood and cherry notes lingering, leaving a desire for a sweeter balance. The spiciness continues to tingle your mouth, making for an experience that leaves you wanting a bit more.

Nose: Cherry cobbler; milk chocolate; rye bread; rich caramel; barrel char; apricots Palate: A wave of cherry syrup initially; rich caramel; graham crackers; maple syrup; a touch of oak tannins; fig jam Finish: Long, thick finish; sweet cherry cordial; milk chocolate; cinnamon Very enjoyable. I could very easily see folks saying this one is too sweet, and it’s teetering on the line for me. From nose to finish, you get a sweet cherry cordial note. It’s full of dark, thick notes throughout. Great for MSRP, but secondary doesn’t warrant the price.

Drank this a couple of months ago, starting to use it to track my preferred styles. I recall cherries, baking spices, and caramel with a persistent oaky undertone throughout, finishing with cherry and oak. Rating 5 because this is the most memorable bourbon I've had to date.

In many ways, it resembles George T. Stagg with its high proof, but it has a pleasant cherry aroma that warms pleasantly on the aftertaste.

I'm not a fan of Old Forester. That flavor combination of banana and medicinal syrup is rather unappealing to me.