Old Forester 1870 Original Batch
45% ABV
$45
Website
What the Distiller Says
In 1870 George Garvin Brown created Old Forester on Louisville, KY’s famous whiskey row. In honor of that milestone year in bourbon history, we have crafted a tribute – Old Forester 1870 Original Batch – the first craft expression in the Old Forester Whiskey Row Series.
Old Forester 1870 Original Batch echoes George Garvin Brown’s original 1870 batching process. Back then, Brown batched barrels obtained from three distilleries to create a consistent flavor profile. To emulate that process today, we also select barrels from three warehouses, each barrel originating from a different day of production, with a different entry proof and a different age profile.
The three expressions of Old Forester are then batched together to craft Old Forester 1870 Original Batch. This 90-proof bourbon will be minimally filtered, to honor the processes available to George Garvin Brown at that time.
TASTING NOTES
NOSE: Clove notes spice up a medley of citrus fruits (orange, grapefruit, blood orange), all softened with a delicate, sweet, floral honeysuckle character.
TASTE: Baking spices (clove, cinnamon, nutmeg) flow into a citrus-fruit mix and shortbread sweetness.
FINISH: Soft, with lingering fruit and spice character.
What Gary Says
Nose: Soft, vanilla crème brûlée with pecan pralines, subtle musty oak and cherries.
Palate: Creamy mouthfeel, sweet with pears, honey, and vanilla ice cream, sliced almonds and cinnamon.
Finish: Short, wet with vanilla and cinnamon notes.
Comments: Some of these Old Forester expressions left me quite underwhelmed. This doesn’t remind me of those at all, and is simply delicious! Less spicy and edgy than your typical Old Forester. While the finish is on the short side, there isn’t anything off putting here for me. Not tremendously complex, but a really nice summer sipper!
Rating: Stands Out