Author: whiskeyfortheages

Woodford Reserve Distiller’s Select Bourbon Review

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Hannah’s Woodford Reserve Distiller’s Select Bourbon Review

Original review written September 19, 2021

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

A go-to for many, and it certainly has every right to be. Unique, decently priced, and certainly a daily drinker, Woodford is one to keep in the bunker. 87/100

*Note: I have been enjoying Woodford Reserve for some time already and am familiar with this bourbon. Only now am I reviewing it.

VITALS:
Woodford Reserve Distiller's Select Bourbon Review

– Made In: Kentucky, USA
– Distiller: Woodford Reserve Distillery/Brown-Forman Distillery
– Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
– Age: nas
– Mash Bill: Corn=72%; Rye=18%; Malted Barley=10%
– Casks: Char #4
– Barrel Entry Proof: 125
– ABV: 45% (90 proof)
– Price: $38.95 USD in Idaho

Visit https://brown-forman.com/ for more information

ENJOYMENT METHOD:

I enjoyed the juice neat from a Glencairn glass with father and fellow Whiskey for the Ages reviewer, Brian.

Check out his review for this bourbon here!

SETTING:

This is the type of bourbon to enjoy at a wedding, especially if you already have a slice of wedding cake on your plate. The sweetness of the cake and gentleness of Woodford Reserve will surely make for a great combination and add to the happiness of the event. Don’t be afraid to go back for seconds of either! 😉

Photo by David Holifield on Unsplash

NOSE:

Soft caramel and roasted corn come across the palate first, but this is followed quickly by a dark vanilla and fruit leather. The fruit seems dark, and is most likely currants; however, deep draws do pull out a lighter stone fruit, perhaps apricots. There is an allspice quality mixed particularly strong with the fruit component, but it isn’t at all aggressive. The rest of the sweetness on this nose is definitely more syrupy and even cake-like on some inhales (yellow cake). There is even some milk chocolate mixed with some complementary mint. I can find oak, but is very much buried underneath the other flavors, and perhaps my nose is just seeking for it specifically. The alcohol is incredibly gentle, and even very deep draws aren’t going to hurt an experienced whiskey drinker.

PALATE:
Woodford Reserve Distiller's Select Bourbon Review

– Mouth Feel: Woodford Reserve has a very soft mouth feel, even when I do a Kentucky chew, which is pleasant.
– Balance: Solid. While I don’t think this is particularly complex with many layers of depth, everything fits in just as it should.
– Visual: Flame in color, this leaves a broken crown and many, long, clinging legs.

– Taste: Corn crosses the palate first along with other grains that make the whole combination quite dusty. Some cherries and currants appear after a moment, along with light vanilla and light caramel. Eventually, some leather starts surfacing with the other flavors, making for an additional layer of depth that I appreciate. The allspice from the nose is still there, and it continues to be mild and very much a part of the supporting cast. It seems to be the component that holds many of these flavors together, even more so than oak. Now, don’t misunderstand, the oak is present, but it is so masked, it is easy to dismiss or not recognize. The sweet flavors of fruit, along with caramel and a newfound cake element definitely dominate the palate.

There is no alcohol burn to be found, just a bourbon warmth. When I partake in a Kentucky chew, the alcohol still remains mild, and the cherries kick up quite a bit in intensity at the tip of the tongue. What little burn there is, fades quickly, and the mouth is left salivating for more.

FINISH:

– Lasting Power: Short. A bit of an aftertaste, but it isn’t strong, and the heat dissipates quickly.
– Between Sips: I find that the corn is the strongest flavor between sips, and there is the slightest hint of oak.

– No More: Caramel and maybe a bit of cherry grows in strength the further into the glass I get, but otherwise, this remains mild and enjoyable.

The empty Glencairn is a very sweet oak; however, again, I don’t know how much oak is truly present here to identify. It’s sweet, and it still smells good either way, and I suppose that’s what’s most important. Overall, a great bourbon, and one I will be keeping on hand as a daily sipper.

WORTH THE PRICE?

At under $40 USD, I think this is excellently priced and a great value bourbon. You get unique flavors, plus a well-known and well-respected name within the industry (without that branding price). This is one to definitely keep in the bunker, as I think Woodford can meet the standards made by anyone with any preferred flavor profile.

WOODFORD RESERVE DISTILLER’S SELECT BOURBON REVIEW RATING: 87/100

Click to see Hannah’s rating process

Click 87/100 to access other whiskies with this rating.
To access other whiskies from this brand, click Woodford Reserve.

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Old Forester Statesman Bourbon Review

Posted on by whiskeyfortheages

Hannah’s Old Forester Statesman Bourbon Review

Original review written September 18, 2021

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

It’s a good bourbon. Mild, gentle, and probably a great bourbon for beginners wanting to try outside of bottom-shelf bourbons. Would I buy it again? I don’t think I need to. 85/100

VITALS:
Old Forester Statesman Bourbon Review

– Made In: Kentucky, USA
– Distiller: Brown-Forman Distillery
– Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
– Age: 4 years (said to be a mingling of 4 to 6 year old barrels selected from warmer sections of the distillery’s heat-cycled rickhouses)
– Mash Bill: Corn=72%; Rye=18%; Malted Barley=10%
– Casks: Char #4
– Barrel Entry Proof: 125
– ABV: 47.5% (95 proof)
– Price: $54.95 USD in Idaho

Visit brown-forman.com for more information

ENJOYMENT METHOD:

I enjoyed the juice neat from a Glencairn with father and fellow Whiskey for the Ages reviewer, Brian.

Check out his review for this bourbon here!

SETTING:

I imagine enjoying Old Forester Statesman on a train car. The seats are vintage, and the lights are a buttery, yellow glow that make everything warm. The lull of the train on the tracks, and perhaps a good book, would make this bourbon and you feel right at home as you wait to arrive at your destination.

Photo by Jennifer Latuperisa-Andresen on Unsplash

NOSE:

This smells immediately chocolate-y and caramelly in much the way a candy bar would on the first inhale. Barrel char is quick to follow, but it hasn’t become at all bitter – rather, it is more of an oaky bite. Along with the oak, however, I find a very strong pine element, not only just the wood, but even raw pinecones. It makes the whole aroma comforting and cozy, while also unique and different. I find other dark flavors that complement quite well, including leather, molasses, a salty toffee, and some roasted nuts. There isn’t much other spice beyond the barrel char and not a great amount of fruit either. There could be some bing cherries or maybe some wine tannins, but I don’t think these are the main heroes of this pour.

The alcohol is incredibly mild, and I don’t think there is a way to get burned on this nose, which is always nice.

PALATE:
Old Forester Statesman Bourbon Review

– Mouth Feel: Soft. No matter how much you push it around, Old Forester Statesman is going to remain soft.
– Balance: Solid. Nothing sticks out awkwardly, and the main flavor of nuts and oak work well together.
– Visual: Auburn in color, this produces many fast-dropping legs, and many clinging droplets after the legs fade.

– Taste: I can let this sit on the palate for some time without feeling at all bothered by the alcohol presence, as it continues to be mild. The palate itself offers up an instant nutty quality like walnuts, but pine nuts are also noted. Pine wood is again, present, but it is much more gentle than it was on the nose. The corn of the mash bill, I think, is providing the greatest sense of sweetness, though it is still minor. There could perhaps be some light vanilla and simple syrup; however, again, there is not much sweetness to note, and the sweetness that is present, is subtle.

As stated, the bourbon heat is minimal, and when I partake in a Kentucky chew, the alcohol still doesn’t punch hard, and the buttery-ness of the nuts only increases. It tastes just fine, but no new surprises or flavors from this exercise.

FINISH:

– Lasting Power: Short-Medium. I get a bit of warmth at the back of the palate after the sip, but not much else.
– Between Sips: There really isn’t much flavor between sips, save maybe for a tint of oak. I’d say this is a very clean pour.

– No More: This stays very consistent throughout the glass without anything significantly new to add. There could be a slight increase in heat, but it’s still very mild and relaxed.

The empty Glencairn is a sweet oak, and it is no surprise that it continues to be soft and very gentle. A good pour overall.

WORTH THE PRICE?

A very simple bourbon, but it is certainly rooted in all good things, and I do believe it stands out flavor-wise from its peers that are priced similarly. Whether or not I am wowed by what is offered is another matter. Though it’s different, and tastes fine, I’m not entirely sure that it is worth this price, when only a few dollars more gets you Old Forester 1920. If you are a beginner, trying out other shelves at your Liquor Store, this might be one to investigate, but otherwise, I don’t think it’s worth repeat purchases.

OLD FORESTER STATESMAN BOURBON REVIEW RATING: 85/100

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Click 85/100 to access other whiskies with this rating.
To access other whiskies from this brand, click Old Forester.

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Whiskey Reviews

Old Forester 1870 Bourbon

Posted on by whiskeyfortheages

Brian’s Old Forester 1870 Bourbon Review:

reviewed 14-September-2021

OLD FORESTER 1870 BOURBON REVIEW:

Old Forester 1870 is another fine bourbon in the Brown-Forman lineup. From the first waft to the final sip, 1870 represents what I expect from any Old Forester product. Faint notes of fruit and spice on the nose to its sweet woodiness on the palate and finish, this bourbon should earn a spot in anyone’s rotation.

OLD FORESTER 1870 BOURBON VITAL STATS:
Old Forester 1870 Bourbon

Category: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Region: Kentucky, USA
Company: Brown-Forman
Distillery: Old Forester Distillery / Brown-Forman Distillers
Mash Bill: 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley
Barrel Char: #4
Barrel entry proof: 125
Age: nas
ABV: 46.5% (93 Proof)
Label Identifier: “Original Batch”
NABCA* Control State Code: 20369
Purchase Price: $44.95 USD (2021 – Idaho)

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 expression in the Old Forester Whiskey Row series.

— Old Forester

Click Old Forester 1870 Original Batch to learn more.
*NABCA – National Alcohol Beverage Control Association Control State Code

ENJOYMENT METHOD:

For the evaluation, alternate amounts, equaling about 4 ounces, were poured into Glencairns. The bourbon was then enjoyed neat with my daughter and fellow Whiskey for the Ages reviewer Hannah.

Check out her review for this bourbon here!

OLD FORESTER 1870 BOURBON NOSE:

The first waft of Old Forester 1870 is dry with little if any burn. I sense sherried wine, fruit tree blossoms on the wind, roasted corn and dry grain along with sweet cherries, apricots, dried dark fruits, and raisins. Just a few wafts in and I’m salivating. 1870’s spices are faint but come through as cinnamon, ginger, white pepper, and rye. And in some nosings there is faint rye bread and subdued notes of buttery graham cracker pie crust. Its sweetness is candy-like: vanilla taffy, butterscotch and even stale marshmallows left in the bag too long. I get buttery caramelized sugar drizzled over toasted almonds as well. Best of all, 1870 has the traditional Old Forester nose as simple dry old oak and gently toasted wood fade in and out of each waft.

OLD FORESTER 1870 BOURBON PALATE:

When Old Forester 1870 is first sipped, there is a dry quick burn, but the whiskey is easy to hold. Second and subsequent sips bring fruit tree blossoms, roasted corn and a dark fruit mixture of currants and raisins. Then come spices of powdered ginger, pepper, and rye and sweets of bittersweet chocolate chips, hard candy, marshmallows, and caramelized sugar. There is a slight medicinal taste but it is sweet and not at all offensive as dry old oak, toasted wood and smoky sweet barrel char round out each mouthful. 1870 is another good bourbon from Brown-Forman.

Old Forester 1870 Bourbon

Balance, Body, Feel and Look:
Old Forester 1870 is well blended and feels silky in my mouth. After each sip, a bourbon curtain is drawn away quickly leaving behind fat clinging legs to transport the liquid to the tawny pool. Then, only a few drops remain, and there is no visible crown in the Glencairn whatsoever.

OLD FORESTER 1870 BOURBON FINISH:

Old Forester 1870 offers a short to medium warm and gentle finish. I get fleeting notes of currants with a touch of white pepper and marshmallows melted over toasted almonds. 1870 fades away on old and dry toasted oak planks with pleasant smoky sweet barrel char. This would be good with S’mores while sitting around a campfire as it’s leatheriness can be drawn from the empty Glencairn.

MY RATING: 87/100

Will I buy this whiskey again? YES
The Old Forester products I’ve enjoyed have been consistently good to great. I will be keeping Old Forester 1870 on my shelf for many future pours.
Click to read Brian’s scoring process.

Click 87/100 to access other whiskies with this score.
To access other whiskies from this brand, click Old Forester.

WHISKEY TRAITS AND FLAVOR NOTES AND PROFILE GRAPH:
Old Forester 1870 Bourbon
Old Forester 1870 Bourbon

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