Old Forester Rye

Given a $30 budget for a whiskey, rye is the clear winner for value and quality. Options like Old Overholt (regular and bonded), Dickel Rye, Jim Beam Rye, Rittenhouse, Sazerac, and Old Forester Rye all fall into this price point and offer excellent choices. Compared to bourbon, other ryes generally provide a better under-$30 experience. While some Irish whiskeys are good starters, seasoned drinkers usually look elsewhere when on a budget. This Old Forester Rye earns a four-star rating, matching Alberta Premium Cask Strength despite the significant price difference. It surpasses expectations for a sub-$30 spirit. The aroma is a rich blend of vanilla, rye spice, mint, and banana foster. The palate continues with spice, adding caramel and banana flavors, with a subtle mint note from the nose, leading to a pleasant peppery finish. My prior review of Old Forester 86 bourbon found it bland, but this rye, especially at 100 proof, shows Old Forester's potential. I'm now interested in trying their higher-end expressions. This Old Forester Rye offers exceptional value and is a must-try for rye enthusiasts. Its past scarcity suggests I should stock up.

COLOR/ Deep Honey Amber AROMA/ Vanilla, Chocolate, Slight Spice, hints of cleaning supplies, Slight Fruit & slight Berries FIRST SIP/ Rich, Smooth, Good mouthfeel, Caramelly, very slight anise, Wood TASTE/ Rich, Buttery, Oily, Sweet, Rising dough, subtle food notes, Semi Sweet Chocolate, Nuttiness, complexity of wood, spices, look closely and you'll find Slight Banana FINISH/ Sweetness, Slight Woodiness, Slight Spice, Smoothness & Warming MT GLASS/ Tobacco Wood, Caramel, Sweetness, Toasty Marshmallow, Smokiness Age Statement: NAS Bottle Details: 100 PROOF Bottled Date: n/a Barreled On: n/a Barrel No. n/a Rick No. n/a 100 proof Date Reviewed: 1.12.2024 Remarks This is an outstanding bottle of rye! There's a certain richness that is both intriguing and elusive. This bottle offers complex flavors, drawing you in as you try to discover and pinpoint the source of the flavors within. It's remarkable in taste, quality, and flavors that take you on an enjoyable journey through the flavor profile. Whether you're a fan of rye whiskeys or not, this is a perfect choice for both enthusiasts and newcomers! Be Kind, Be Generous, Be Real, Be Responsible!!! CH33RS

New bottle. Appears a deep amber. The aroma is honey, brown sugar, and spice. It enters the mouth with a slight warmth, spice, and oily texture. There's a touch of herbal bitterness. The flavor is full and rich, featuring strong notes of clove, vanilla, and a hint of charred wood. The finish echoes these flavors. It's good, but likely not my top rye choice. UPDATE: Adding a few drops of water significantly improves it, opening up the flavors and balancing them better. While still not a top-tier rye, it's a solid alternative.

Nose: caramel, vanilla, clove, and brown sugar. Palate: this is a sweet and spicy rye. A hint of vanilla and caramel is followed by rye spices. It goes from sweet to spicy very quickly. Lovers of a spicy rye, this is for you. Finish: peppery that lingers. A hint of sweet. Overall: this is a remarkably well-balanced rye. I have trouble finding it in my region of North Carolina, but I finally found it. I am pleased I purchased two bottles at $27 each. An excellent 100 proof affordable rye. Get yourself one.

Aroma of vanilla, maple, banana, sweet oak. The palate mirrors this, along with some cinnamon and clove. Perhaps a subtle wintergreen mint. This is considerably better than you might expect for a $22 bottle. An obvious value buy at this price. While it feels like a very different profile, I'd be interested to compare it with a specific 100 proof rye. I recall enjoying it for the price, but it's been a while since I've tried it.

For the price, this is an excellent rye. Cherry is the dominant flavor I detect. I get many cherry notes when smelling it, and again, lots of cherry flavors. There's some woodiness, along with a good amount of floral and spicy rye notes. I also perceive a nice hint of vanilla. The finish is short and sweet, with a medicinal cherry chloraseptic taste, which I personally enjoy.