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Old Forester 1870 Bourbon

Posted on 18-September-202129-June-2022 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:

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.

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:

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Old Forester 1870 Bourbon Review

Posted on 18-September-202129-June-2022 by whiskeyfortheages

Hannah’s Old Forester 1870 Bourbon Review

Original review written September 14, 2021

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

This is certainly an easy, daily sipper, and for it being the “Original Batch,” I imagine the people who “originally” drank this expression, were very happy sippers, indeed. 87/100

VITALS:

– Made In: Kentucky, USA
– Distiller: 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: 46.5% (93 proof)
– Price: $44.95 USD in Idaho

Visit 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:

I imagine enjoying Old Forester 1870 someplace small and cozy, perhaps in or around a wooden shed. It may not sound glamorous, but that’s the point. When you are accompanied by a solid sipper, every place you visit, you walk with a pep in your step. It makes the goings easier, and it even makes the scenery – no matter how simple – a bit more beautiful than you could’ve imagined.

Photo by Kevin Jarrett on Unsplash

NOSE:

This smells quintessentially Old Forester, with hazy barrel char erupting from the glass mixing with dark fruit. Sweet, dark berry nectar mixed with a bit of allspice makes for an altogether almost leathery component. There’s a bit of toffee and some mustiness that likely comes from the barrel char. The sweetness in general is the kind of sweetness that is always appetizing, regardless of whether or not you have a sweet tooth, and that certainly makes it even more appealing and enticing. Other than these flavors – which all make me very excited – the nose isn’t particularly complex. It’s a simple, fruity, subtly sweet nose. And there is nothing wrong with that.

PALATE:

– Mouth Feel: This has a very soft mouth feel. While simplistic, it pairs with the flavors and theme of gentleness quite well.
– Balance: Solid. Nothing fancy or outstanding, but it’s solid all the same.
– Visual: Tawny in color, there is a broken crown with some clinging droplets and some fast-dropping legs.

– Taste: This is very mild, and the flavors are relatively simple (this does not mean bad). I’ve been sipping now for some time, trying to pick apart this palate, but the woody/sawdusty blend is just solid. The wood has a savory herb influence (rosemary), along with some yeast to make it a little bready. There are some nuts here also, but they are quite mild. When really searching, I can find some currants as well as some very dried out huckleberry and cranberries. This is coupled with an organic/un-sweetened maple syrup that marries the fruit together.

The alcohol is inoffensive and easy to hold, and it doesn’t try to bite in the slightest. When I partake in a Kentucky chew, the herbal, savory bread is the lead flavor, backed by a hint of the dried fruits. The fruits eventually envelop the bread component and become a bit more pronounced before fading, once again, to the background.

FINISH:

– Lasting Power: Short. I get some flavor left over, but there is not much heat present.
– Between Sips: I think the breadiness is what sticks around the most between sips, but there could be some of the dried fruits that linger on the tip of the tongue.

– No More: This stays very consistent throughout the glass, which is not a bad thing. This is a daily sipper through and through, with no surprises, just easy pouring.

The empty Glencairn is another mild oak that carries with it the softest hint of the berry sweetness. Overall, a very good bourbon, and one to which I will certainly return.

WORTH THE PRICE?

For what the proof is, and what the price is, I think this bourbon meets the criteria of what I would consider a good value bourbon. While people may shy away from something that is acknowledged as simple, or even as something that may not meet the expectations that is Old Forester… I think this is a really fine bourbon. Don’t necessarily go into it with the greatest expectations, but it is worth exploring. (I daresay you should always manage anticipations/expectations on first tastings appropriately because you run the risk of hurting you and the whiskey.)

OLD FORESTER 1870 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 Old Forester.

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Stagg Jr. Batch #15 Bourbon Review

Posted on 13-September-202129-June-2022 by whiskeyfortheages

Hannah’s Stagg Jr Batch #15 Bourbon Review

Original review written September 7, 2021

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

This certainly meets and exceeds Stagg Jr. Batch expectations. Plenty of heat while not drinking like a 131 proof exactly, this still manages a beautiful blend. 93/100

VITALS:

– Made In: Kentucky, USA
– Distiller: Buffalo Trace Distillery
– Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey; Small Batch
– Age: nas (~8 yrs.)
– Mash Bill: Mash #1 (low rye <10%)
– Casks: Char #4
– Non-Chill Filtered
– Barrel Entry Proof: 125
– ABV: 65.55% (131.1 proof)
– Price: $49.95 USD in Idaho

For more information, visit buffalotracedistillery.com

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:

Stagg Jr. Batch #15 is the perfect bourbon to relax with on your porch during the autumn season. The air has a small chill, and all of the leaves are starting to change their color, and some may even fall to sit with you. Winter is still far off, and the air tastes sweet, and all you need to stay warm is a glass of good bourbon.

Photo by Craig Dimmick on Unsplash

NOSE:

Brown sugar, allspice, white pepper, butterscotch… flavors are just begging to burst from the glass even on the first inhale. This has already a textural component, despite it being just the nose. I get a thick, syrup quality, maybe like corn syrup, but with dark cherries and a bit of molasses mixed in. The alcohol is also a very forward and definitely can hurt if you aren’t careful.

After it aerates for a while, a grape – almost wine-like element comes forth, perhaps like a pinot-noir as there is plenty of sweetness to be found. Dark vanilla also emerges with some oak sawdust, and the nutmeg aspect of the allspice only becomes more fragrant. And strangely enough, perhaps I am imagining it, but I can detect some sweetened banana chips with some citrus blossoms for extra fruit.

Overall, (I think it should be obvious), I love how this smells, so much so, I could contentedly just sit and smell this all night long.

PALATE:

– Mouth Feel: This has a raspy feel to it, grabbing onto taste buds and leaving the palate tingly.
– Balance: This is incredibly well-blended. Beyond the heat, it can be quite difficult to pull individual flavors. Still, the flavors that are found are absolutely delicious and very cohesive with one another.
– Visual: Terracotta in color, the ring is almost perfectly formed with many thin legs dropping to coalesce into fewer, thicker ones. Beyond this, there is a filmy residue that goes all the way up to the lip of the Glencairn. This has occurred in both Dad’s and my glasses, and we have never seen the likes of it before, nor do we know what it could be.

– Taste: The flavors on the palate are not as readily apparent as they were on the nose. The initial alcohol burn cuts through many of the flavors and obscures them. Nevertheless, I find a very crisp apple, a hard caramel candy, corn, and cinnamon predominantly. Finding much else is admittedly quite difficult, as the blend makes this very cohesive. If I really look, I can identify a simple syrup and maybe blackberry juice mingling with the main flavors.

The back of my palate has a raspy texture, where some other flavors try to peek through. Among them are some dark dried fruits and ginger that kicks up the heat. With the heat is some seasoned/spicy oak and the hint of something bitter. It could be nutty, could be zesty (most likely), or something even herbal.

My palate has acclimated to the burn, and I find I can let it sit at the tip of my tongue for some time. However, the flavor profile does not change much. When I do a Kentucky chew, my palate feels prickled, and my salivary glands are working overtime to soothe the burn. A musty age comes out with some brininess.

FINISH:

– Lasting Power: Long. The heat lingers for quite some time in the throat, and the flavor does a pretty good job of keeping up with it.
– Between Sips: I find some of the mustiness from the Kentucky chew between sips. It’s aged wood, and dusty grain, but it doesn’t leave a bad taste in the mouth at all.

– No More: Some sweetness grows the further into the glass I get, with caramel and maple syrup growing to become the most dominant flavors. There is also a resurgence of cherry and other dark fruit nectar. A great bourbon only becoming greater is what that means.

The empty Glencairn is a sweet oak with a bit of simple syrup. It matches the theme of the bourbon overall, being rich, deep, and intense.

THE ADDITION OF WATER

– This section written on September 11, 2021 –

Stagg Jr Batch #15 Bourbon Review: Water can often tame bold whiskeys and the addition of 2-4 drops will not radically change the proof of the pour. Rather water may help open the spirit allowing the aromas and flavors to bloom. As such, 2 and 4 drops of distilled water were added to their own respective 1.5 oz. pours of Stagg Jr. Batch #15 to detect any potential differences:

A sudden mineral quality jumps out on the taste with two drops added. There is still a crispness with some of the flavors of the neat pour, but this tastes quite clean. I also get a higher concentration of brininess on this palate too that makes me salivate. The alcohol is a bit of a punch, and it pairs nicely with some cherry chasing after it, but it’s not overwhelming. Note that these differences from the neat pour are extremely subtle, and I don’t think this bourbon improves or worsens with the addition of two drops. The mineral essence is the only thing I can see as being a hindrance. (RATING: 91/100)

Four drops has certainly made this even more mild, with only a little raspy heat coming in at the back of the palate. Traditional bourbon notes with some wood provide a foundation, but a lot of the other flavors have dissipated significantly. Some of the fruitiness is still present, but it’s more on the finish than on the actual palate. The brininess is about the same as it was with two drops, but it’s now coupled with a barrel char bitterness. I imagine if you like scotches, this may be quite appealing, but if I’m drinking a high proof bourbon, I am looking always for sweetness first. This is still decent, but I definitely recommend enjoying this neat, but if you need water, add only two drops. (RATING: 88/100)

WORTH THE PRICE?

As always, $50 USD for a Stagg Jr. (a high proof, well-blended, sophisticated bourbon) is undoubtedly worth it. If you find any Stagg Jr., I highly recommend trying it out if you can handle the heat they bring.

STAGG JR BATCH #15 BOURBON REVIEW RATING: 93/100

Click to see Hannah’s rating process

Click 93/100 to access other whiskies with this rating.
To access other whiskies from this brand, click Stagg.

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