Old Forester 150th Anniversary Bourbon (Batch 03)

The aroma is understated given its alcohol content, featuring a foundation of barrel oak with a hint of caramel, and less cherry than typical OF BIB. The palate is firm yet profound, beginning with brown sugar and leading to a warm embrace, though the spice fades swiftly into an extended barrel finish. The second aroma reveals increased sweetness. The second taste is more layered, exhibiting flavors usually found in aged bourbons. It's quite good; procure it if you encounter it, but do not seek it out or pay inflated prices.

Nose of caramel and leather, starts dry like scotch then fades, vanilla, long finish – ignore this! Palate has significantly improved over 3 years Mar 15, 2024 Proof 126.8, batch 03, bottle 07641 Nose: vanilla, graham cracker, grassy. Some smoke. Palate: licorice and menthol, vanilla, cracker, tootsie roll, with a grainy note present. A long oak finish with some syrup.

A pleasant nose of clove, cherry, tobacco, maple syrup, and raisin. On the tongue, I found it quite hot, almost unpleasantly so. Afterward, I detected toffee, cinnamon, and a trace of butterscotch. This bourbon has a medium-long finish. It really opened up after a couple of small drops of water. For the price, I'll stick with Old Forester 1920.

The aroma is incredible; I almost don't want to taste it. It's full of vanilla, cherries, toasted oak, and even banana bread. The taste is massive brown sugar and vanilla, very syrupy. There's a slight hint of that banana bread again. The oak is present but subtle. For the alcohol by volume, this is incredibly smooth and easy to drink. I wish I had more.

The best of the anniversary batches. Some chocolate and nutty notes. I find the standard Old Forester profile somewhat unpleasant, though. It has a similar banana note to Jack Daniels, but also that off-putting cough syrup taste.

Well executed. While not entirely my preferred flavor profile, it's definitely worth purchasing at or near its retail price. The nose is a bit muted. The palate is full and satisfying. The finish is pleasant and long, though it drinks a little hot.