Old Forester Statesman

I was sort of taken aback by this bourbon — I have been an Old Forester fan for quite some time and decided to grab a bottle of Statesman on a whim at the grocery store since I’d never tried it before. I think I always assumed it was a bit of a gimmick release? But I was wrong. It is really nicely balanced, sweet and fruity with just enough spice and heat to keep me coming back for another sip. Great finish too — I got a little more heat on the back end than I got upfront, but again, this is really nicely balanced. The proof seems to be just right to let the flavors shine without overpowering. Maybe controversial, but this might be my favorite regular Old Forester bottling. (Yes, I am saying it is better than 1920 Prohibition Style.)

A very moderate pour. The nose is pleasant - nothing stands out as bold, spicy, etc. - just pleasant and soft. The palate is true to the same character… baking sweetness is most prominent, vanilla and maple types of notes, but again it’s all very moderate. The finish is very short. Almost no one will hate this, but it is easily overshadowed by nearly any other pour.

The nose is fuuuuull of bright, sweet, heavy fruit compared to others in the lineup. Sweet and creamy on the nose and taste. Medium heft on the palate with tons of that signature corn mash bill hit. I really enjoy the nose, but get a little lost in the finish. It's sweet but in a more vegetative way.

This bourbon is definitely good. You immediately get notes of a red popsicle and berries, followed by a hint of bubble gum. Leather and oak present themselves on the palate. It's remarkably well-balanced. The finish is rather brief but invigorating, like expelling a pleasant piece of gum. It's worth having a bottle on hand for a unique treat.

This is quite underwhelming. The nose is rather standard and unremarkable. It certainly feels stronger than 95 proof, with abundant spice and minimal banana notes. The finish is intensely spicy with a trace of cherry. I would not purchase it again and would always choose another option over this.

Pleasing aroma; I definitely detect the initial sweet notes. A bit smoother than I anticipated, yet with some spice on the finish. Flavors of caramel, a hint of toffee, and a touch of banana nut bread. This is a bottle from the Old Forester line I would readily purchase again.