Old Forester Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky (DSP KY 414; 1985)
43% ABV
$40 (1.75 L)
What Gary Says
Nose: Caramel, rice/tapioca pudding, toffee, pralines, vanilla, musty sandalwood and soft oak
Palate: Sweet caramel crème brulee with a hint of nutmeg, touch of oak, and a subtle pepper spice (but little bite)
Finish: Moderately short and wet
Comments: I really like DSP-414 Old Forester – and the stuff from the mid-late 80s is really nice. While the label says this is 4 years old, I’m fairly sure this includes some older whiskey. As a dusty, acquiring a bottle like this can be crazy expensive at this time – and while I really enjoy it; I’d never pay the secondary market pricing for it. To be fair – this wasn’t bottled as a super-premium bourbon, and it isn’t. But if you are fortunate enough to spot one of these laying around a forgotten corner of some liquor store and pick one up retail, this punches well above its weight. This isn’t a complicated pour – but I love that about it. Just sweet, pretty well balanced with a touch of oak (and a bit less bite/spice than the current Old Forester). And it has that “thing” that a lot of older dusty bourbon has (and I apologize I can’t find the right words that really nail that). Just a more rich texture and a bit of a twang. If you’ve never had it – I would pay a premium for a pour at a bar just for the experience.
Rating: Stands Out
Proselytizing the way of the malt