Old Forester
Old Forester is a brand of Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey produced by the Brown-Forman Corporation. It is officially the longest running Bourbon on the market today (approximately 145 years as of 2016) and was the first bourbon sold exclusively in sealed bottles. It was first bottled and marketed in 1870 by the former pharmaceutical salesman turned bourbon-merchant George Garvin Brown ā the founder of the Brown-Forman Corporation (whose descendants still manage the company). During the Prohibition period from 1920 to 1933, it was one of only 10 brands authorized for lawful production (for medicinal purposes).
Old Forester is produced under the supervision of Master Distiller Chris Morris (as of 2006) at the Brown-Forman distillery in Shively, Kentucky (which is located directly adjacent to the pre-merger Southwest boundary of Louisville) using a mash bill of 72% corn (maize), 18% rye, and 10% malted barley (the same mash bill used for Woodford Reserve).
Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style
- Nose: An intense medley of cherry preserves, drippy caramel, dark chocolate, thickened maple syrup and seasoned oak spiciness.
- Taste: Dark caramel coats layers of malt nuttiness and sweet graham cracker all warmed by green peppercorn and coriander spice brightened with a hint of cedar.
- Finish: Tart apple crispness gives way to a long smoky finish full of toasted marshmallow, chocolate and graham cracker sweetness.
Old Forester 1870 Original Batch
- Nose: Sharp and sweet, with a strong floral character that swirls with hints of mint, rich tobacco leaf and vanilla. A touch of oak and pine provides a strong underpinning.
- Taste: Sharp at first, but softens quickly, with hints of oak, sweet corn and rye grain character. Spicy, with soft vanilla and light orange notes.
- Finish: Long, warm and slightly drying. Nice level of sweetness.
Old Forester 100 Proof
- Nose: Strong, sweet coffee laced with chocolate, creamy butterscotch and a hint of liquorice.
- Taste: Ripe apple and other sweet fruit, bakery spice (clove and nutmeg), and toasted oak.
- Finish: Sweet and light, with hints of oak and apple that linger a bit.
Old Forester Classic 86 Proof
- Nose: Sharp and sweet, with a strong floral character that swirls with hints of mint, rich tobacco leaf and vanilla. A touch of oak and pine provides a strong underpinning.
- Taste: Sharp at first, but softens quickly, with hints of oak, sweet corn and rye grain character. Spicy, with soft vanilla and light orange notes.
- Finish: Long, warm and slightly drying. Nice level of sweetness.
Old Forester 1897 Bottled in Bond
- Nose: Robust, intense caramel. Rich vanilla with roasted coffee notes, spiced dark fruit and mature oak.
- Taste: Mouth-filling. Sweet and intense. Deep fruit, spice and oak notes layered over dark caramel and vanilla.
- Finish: Big and bold. Long with soft oak and caramel notes lingering on.
Old Forester Statesman
- Nose: Devil's food, clove and oak spice with an undercurrent of raw vanilla.
- Taste: Buttery leather is quickly dominated by a bold flash of pepper, cinnamon bark and sharp citrus.
- Finish: Intense spice and eucalyptus which fade into orange cream and caramel.
Old Forester Single Barrel 100 Proof [Exclusive for Singapore]
Old Forester Rye
- Nose: Rich brown sugar and magnolia blossom, with hints of soft sassafras and candied lemon.
- Taste: Spice awakens immediately leading with sharp black pepper and cinnamon stick, rounding out with notes of dried dill and baked apple.
- Finish: Allspice and peppercorn introduce a loyal and dry finish which ignites with pine, anise, and bright lemon zest.