Company on Label: Old Forester
Whiskey Type: Bourbon
Mash Bill Percentages: 70% Corn, 18% Rye, 10% Barley
Proof: 128.7°
Age: NAS
Further identification: Warehouse L, Floor 3. Liquor Depot Store Pick; this sample was provided to me from bourbondipity_ on Instagram in a sample swap
Nose: Mmmm, this is going to be a good one. Very vanilla forward. Well in hand in the proof department, this noses like a sweet flower. On deep pulls of air, some sweet pepper appears. After a sip it's like a flavor switch has been turned on. Rich apricot and peppery vanilla are like a summer hug. Smooth, thin molasses and some light blood orange. Nose is turning into a creamy caramel which will always be a welcome note to me. Some light meatiness is coming out now. I've always been intrigued by this note; what causes that specific sensation? Yummy maple syrup. This one is very rapidly evolving. Now shedding the rest of its build up shivers, this settles into a full circle return to a high flying vanilla and apricot. Hint of smoke is present in the molasses. The final note is one of bright oak and dusty vanilla bean.
Palate: Oh! There's the proof. Whew! Nice introduction here for an unassuming palate. Syrupy chocolate drizzled plums. Canned peaches and loads of sweet allspice coats the tongue. The allspice and caramel transferred very well from nose to palate. Definitely can tell this is a barrel proof offering, but once the initial shock is gone it drinks well below the 128.7 on the label. The heat that rises on a good sip is slow moving; rolling across the tongue with the pace & intensity of caramel dripping down oak bark. Some low intensity citrus zest, closest to lemon, but probably not a 'real' fruit in current existence. A little more towards the tannic profile of 1910 rather than 1920 here, I'm not growing tired of the proof or the sweetness at all. Sometimes these things can weather a palate but this is very well balanced all the way through. Not explosive or punishing on the finish: this is a great sipper.
Rating: 4/5
With any single barrel or individual store pick offerings, the notes and rating in this review may not reflect the same as a different barrel selection.