Old Forester Birthday Bourbon 2017
48% ABV
$80
Website
What the Distiller Says
The 2017 Old Forester Birthday Bourbon was drawn from 12 year old barrels from different warehouses and floors. A total of 120 barrels; 93 barrels matured together on the 4th floor of G warehouse, yielding an extremely spice forward expression. The remaining 27 barrels matured together on the 5th floor of K warehouse contributing a rounding sweetness to the blend. Several barrels from both lots basked in the sun, highlighting the effects of maturation along an external wall.
Barreled on May 27, 2005 – Old Forester 2017 Birthday Bourbon is offered at 96 and 95.4 Proof.
TASTING NOTES
COLOR: Bright golden honey
AROMA: Sweet toasted oak and black pepper with a heavy suggestion of orange oil and toffee
TASTE: Oak spice and charred black pepper dominate over a subtle core of chocolate custard and kola nut.
FINISH: Spicy perimeter mouthfeel that slowly cascades off revealing floral undertones and cocoa powder.
What Gary Says
Nose: Vanilla, salted caramel, solid dose of oak, brown sugar, allspice and a hint of raisins; a bit sharp as well.
Palate: Vanilla, caramel apple, allspice, cinnamon with oaky pepper spice.
Finish: Short to moderately in length, drying with pepper spice notes.
Comments: I haven’t bought an Old Forester Birthday Bourbon in many years. Each year is a bit different; some years have been flat out delicious, where other years have been pretty unremarkable – at least for my palate. This one sits squarely in that latter camp for me. Pretty oaky, a bit on the sharp side, and just not well balanced. When they were $35 a throw, I didn’t mind taking the gamble on what it might be, but at $80 – I expect a consistently great bourbon; because in that price tier – you should. Maybe others find this hitting right in their wheelhouse consistently; if so – this didn’t strike me as anything particularly off-putting. Just not particularly special.