Old Forge Reserve

Oak on the nose, mingled with grains, wheat, grasses, and leather, softened by hints of vanilla and caramel. The taste begins with a gentle oak presence, transitioning into notes of leather, caramel, and some alcohol-derived spices. Please don't be deterred by this description; it's a very enjoyable sipping whiskey for me. I'm not typically a fan of heavy oak, but this is one of the few bourbons I genuinely like, with the oak notes present on the nose and the initial taste. The finish includes some spicy notes but concludes well. It offers an intermittent lingering warmth and hints of leather, and perhaps even tobacco, wonderfully softened by notes of vanilla and caramel. In my opinion, there's no harsh 'Kentucky hug' on the finish. I would happily pour another glass. As a craft distillery product from eastern Tennessee, this whiskey meets many of my criteria for a solid and very enjoyable whiskey/bourbon. Cheers!