Old Forester

Old Forester is believed to be perhaps the earliest ongoing brand of Bourbon, having been continuously available since approximately 1771, one of ten brands authorised as "medicinal whiskey" during the US Prohibition. The brand is owned by Brown-Forman, which also owns Jack Daniels and Woodford Reserve. In addition to this standard 86 proof/43% ABV Old Forester, there is a 100 proof/50% ABV Old Forester Signature Bourbon, and special editions such as the annual release 95 proof/47.5% ABV Old Forester Birthday Bourbon, and the Old Forester 75th Anniversary of the Repeal of Prohibition Bourbon. The reviewed standard Old Forester is 4 years old. This review is from a 50 ml bottle, though I have sampled this whiskey several times previously as well

Nose: strong vanilla, floral perfume of rose and carnations, maple wood flavours, and with some sharp pointed spice in the background. Very pleasant

Taste: delivery is mostly of the wood flavours. Spice increases with time and becomes strong mid-delivery. The quality of the wood flavours in the early and mid-delivery is adequate but not great

Finish: the floral and spicy bits exit after a medium time, leaving some dull wood flavours which last long. This finishes a bit to the sour and bitter side. Not a great finish

Balance: the nose is the high point here; the rest is just adequate