Old Forester 1910 Old Fine Whisky

A friend shared this bottle with me after hearing I have a particular fondness for spicy bourbons. I'm eager to examine it closely and see if I agree about this one. It's been open for about a year but remains mostly full. It pours a medium amber, bordering on copper, which is darker than I'd anticipate for its proof and approximate age. The legs are average, receding slowly to coat the Glencairn glass. I'll have it neat, naturally. The aroma initially presents a strong wave of rich, caramel-glazed mahogany and sweet wood, complemented by more subtle notes such as orange peel or even marmalade, and traces of spice like clove and allspice. Beneath it all, a faint, almost yeasty, slightly briny scent emerges, reminiscent of uncooked bread dough. After resting much longer in the glass, a sweet almond, akin to marzipan, begins to take prominence. There's a lot to unpack here. A rich and luxurious nose is characteristic of any well-executed double-oaked expression, and this certainly fits the description. Following several sips, a certain waxiness develops, as if the initial aroma has been sealed away. The initial sip is pleasant and vibrant, going down quite smoothly at this modest proof, with some warming baking spice around the edges of the prevailing maple-like sweetness. Subsequent sips are moderately rich and flavorful for the proof, featuring the typical caramel/vanilla combination more prominently, presented as a light vanilla cream with a thick caramel drizzle. These also carry secondary notes of both sweet and dry tannic oak, along with subtle hints of hot cinnamon. A subtle herbal quality, hard to identify, eventually starts to appear. The progression of each sip, and of the overall drink, is enjoyable, though perhaps a bit less complex than the nose. The finish begins with a quick burst of baking chocolate, but then primarily settles into dry tannic oak that persists for a moderate duration. This earthiness truly lingers. However, it also compels me to take another sip. All things considered, the longer I spend with this, the more muted and less impressive the nose and palate have become. Perhaps the nose represents the peak of a good double-oaked bourbon, creating an expectation that the palate cannot possibly meet. Or maybe OF 1910 is best appreciated in small amounts and savored slowly, to better absorb the entire olfactory experience. Regardless of the reason, I found it more pleasing at the start than by the end of the dram. However, this is a tasty and somewhat distinctive offering overall, especially given the typically high cost of any readily available double-oaked bottling, or its scarcity otherwise. But perhaps it's not a great value for the price in a head-to-head comparison, whether against other bourbons around 93 proof, or other bottles in the $50-$60 range. The nose carries the drink, though, and for me, this rates 4/5.

This marks my third experience with the Old Forester bourbon range, and it's been consistently good. The Original Batch was solid, and the Prohibition was exceptional. Nose: Notes of brown sugar, caramel, vanilla, and toffee. Also, toasted almond, macadamia, and pecan. Hints of raisin and dried apricot. Abundant nougat. Gala apple. Sweet potato. Multivitamins. Butterscotch. A touch of banana. Orange citrus. Cocoa and pipe smoke. Spices like cinnamon, black pepper, clove, nutmeg, and oak. Palate: Tastes like Peach Tea Snapple. Caramel, vanilla, toffee, and nougat. Toasted almond, macadamia, chestnut, and pecan. Multivitamins. Orange citrus and banana. Sawdust. Dried apricot and golden raisin. Cocoa butter. It has a thick consistency. Butterscotch, honey, and marshmallow. Cocoa and light pipe smoke. Spices including cinnamon, white and black pepper, clove, nutmeg, and oak. A distinctive Old Forester barrel influence throughout. Finish: Ginger. Dried apricot and golden raisin. Caramel, brown sugar, vanilla, toffee, and butterscotch. Multivitamins. Spices like cinnamon, black and white pepper, clove, nutmeg, and oak. Significant barrel char and smoke. Medium in length. Another outstanding offering. Old Forester excels at crafting these spirits. The fundamental character is similar across the range. The Prohibition remains the top choice, and I rate this comparable to the Original Batch, giving this one a slight edge. For $57, it offers excellent value. Its accessibility in terms of cost and availability, along with a profile appealing to both experienced and novice bourbon drinkers, makes it highly recommendable. Well done. Rated 4 out of 5.

Tasted neat. The color is a bronze brown with substantial legs in the glass. The aroma offers caramel, vanilla, and oak, with a burnt sugar sweetness and a subtle grassy spice in the background. On the palate, there's brown sugar, vanilla, charred oak, and dark fruit. A slight ethanol bloom and an oily texture are present, but the mouthfeel is generally thin. The finish brings a mild spice, characterized by more sugary sweetness lacking significant tannic bite, char, or rye spice depth, resulting in a short, clean finish. Adding an ice cube enhances this bourbon by moderating the thin sweetness and allowing the oak and spice notes to emerge more clearly. It presents a singular profile. The caramel and oak on the nose predict the entire taste experience. It doesn't deliver the intense oak profile suggested by some other reviewers and the marketing, especially when compared to its 'younger' sibling, the 100 proof OF 1920 Prohibition, which is a heavily charred oak bourbon and a superior, more complex spirit overall. In the realm of double-oaked bourbons, this 1910 expression is quite restrained. However, the 1910 is not as unremarkable or 'woody' as a particular reviewer suggests; the widespread positive ratings from app users, far exceeding the aforementioned score, indicate otherwise. If the collective opinion is accurate, then this 93 proof bourbon is indeed overpriced compared to other quality (and higher proof) double-oaked bourbons, including the 1920 Prohibition. The 1910 is a relatively costly, one-dimensional bourbon. I will continue to sample and contemplate this bottle to see if my perception evolves. And... it didn't change much. It's purely sweet, and that's about it. I enjoy it with an ice cube; it serves as an easy choice for sipping during the week.

This is, naturally, a straight bourbon whisky. It lacks an age statement, meaning it's at least four years old as a straight whisky. The grain bill is 72% corn, 18% rye, and 10% barley. It's 93 proof, and I purchased a fifth for $58.99. It appears bronze in the glass. NOSE: The primary, and strongest, aroma is a rich caramel – I could enjoy smelling it indefinitely. Following that is a vanilla cream scent – or perhaps marshmallow cream; I was unsure, but settled on vanilla, though I wouldn't bet on it. Beneath those notes, there's a subtle floral scent, and a hint of smoke and honey. MOUTHFEEL: Creamy but somewhat thin. TASTE: Smoky honey, with a touch of cinnamon and brown sugar. FINISH: Cinnamon, which transitions into a developing chocolate that lingers – moderately long. SUMMARY: This whisky is decent, but it's certainly not worth $59. It's inferior to the 100 proof version; it's only 93 proof – seven points less – and costs nearly twice as much. I will not be purchasing this bottle again. RATING: Using my personal rating system, where higher numbers indicate a better whisky, this ranks a 4 – Okay. This is equivalent to 2.5 stars, 50/100, or 5/10.

I typically enjoy Old Forester products, so I was quite eager when I received a Whisky Row sample kit over Christmas that included 1910, 1920, and 1897. This evening, I'm diving into the 1910 while my kids' Roblox conversations echo around me, so let's see how it goes. Before I bring my nose to the glass, aromas of banana loaf with walnuts greet me. Vanilla, oak, and maple syrup follow shortly after. There's something so comforting about bourbon. The palate is a bit spicy on the initial sip, but it's my first of the day, so I'll attribute it to that. Deep, rich vanilla, almost hinting at marshmallow, struck me, as did the oak. That secondary barrel aging is really evident. Plenty of baking spices and a touch of cherry, which I often detect in Old Forester products, are also present. The finish is medium in length, continuing with the baking spices and deep vanilla notes. A very satisfying pour.

I tasted this spirit some months back and didn't particularly care for it, but I never logged a review. I decided to try it again to see if my impression had shifted. The nose presents prominent dark cherry notes, which is quite impressive for a spirit with only 93 proof. It's worth noting the amazing deep red amber color of this pour, suggesting significant barrel aging. The taste mirrors the nose with dark cherry, complemented by deep chocolate notes and a subtle sweet oak undertone. It drinks like a dessert bourbon, rich in depth and fruity character, leading to a clean finish. I enjoyed this much more than my initial tasting, and for a 93 proof spirit, it's remarkably flavorful.