Brian’s Old Forester 100 Proof Bourbon Review:
S01E02 Podcast Review 11-March-2023
Full Review completed on 14-March-2023
OLD FORESTER 100 PROOF BOURBON REVIEW:
Sometimes known as Old Forester Signature or even Orange Label, Old Forester 100 Proof Bourbon (OF100) has a sweet floral aroma with notes of faint apples, sweet cherries, and vanilla custard. Moreover, the first taste is spicy, and I sense sweetcorn, cherries and cinnamon, then pick up nutmeg, bread pudding, and caramel. Additionally, there are faint traces of oak and smoky sweetness in its clean but thin mouthfeel, and the medium-long finish follows the nose and palate. Overall, this pleasant pour earns a “Recommendation” from me.
OLD FORESTER 100 PROOF VITAL STATS:
Category: Kentucky Bourbon
Region: Louisville, KY, USA
Distillery: Brown-Forman
DSP #: KY-414
Mash Bill: 72% Corn, 18% Rye, 10% Malted Barley
Barrel Char: #4
Barrel entry proof: 125
Age: nas
Filtration: Chill-filtered
ABV: 50% (100 Proof)
NABCA CSC #: 16396
Size: 750ML
Price: $25.95 MSRP (Idaho, Spring 2023)
No batch or bottle number identifiers
To learn more, visit Old Forester Products.
ENJOYMENT METHOD FOR THE REVIEW:
To enjoy and evaluate this bourbon, alternate pours, equaling about two ounces, were added into three Glencairns. My daughters and I enjoyed the bourbon neat during the S01E02 podcast, and again several days later while completing our full reviews.
Click Hannah’s Review and Elora’s Review to learn their thoughts!
OLD FORESTER 100 PROOF NOSE:
When nosing, Old Forester 100 Proof (OF100) offers a delightful sweetness that is free from any discernible alcohol burn. Its aroma is reminiscent of sweet flowers, akin to a rose garden in full bloom. When my nose acclimates, I detect subtle notes of tart apples and freshly picked cherries, accompanied by allspice and clove. The baking spices gradually intensify and reveal hints of powdered ginger and nutmeg, which blend into a creamy vanilla custard pudding drizzled with simple syrup. As sweet aromas build, warm toasted marshmallows and light caramel waft from the glass. Surprisingly and despite being aged in oak, there was no detectable wood scent. Instead, I pick up an earthy quality of damp potting soil.
OLD FORESTER 100 PROOF PALATE:
OF100 delivers an initial burst of heat which fades quickly, leaving behind notes of freshly shucked sweetcorn. My taste buds then recall the sweet floral notes sensed on the nose before linking flavors of faint apple slices and dried Maraschino cherries rolled in old cinnamon. With additional sipping, a blend of bakery spices, including nutmeg and rye, emerged, along with the taste of yeasty bread pudding. The confection seems to be topped with whipped cream infused with Maraschino juice, rich vanilla and a drizzle of sweet caramel. I also detect honey-coated granola notes, which offer a sensation of nutty toffee.
And in each mouthful, there is a hint of faint oak, which seamlessly blends into the hazy smoky sweetness of dying campfire embers.
Balance, Body, Feel and Look:
While leaning towards fruit and sweetness, OF100 is nicely balanced. Each sip is clean, inviting, and rich even though the mouthfeel is quite thin. After each sip, the liquid lingers in long, thick clinging legs then break guiding large tears back to the carrot colored pool. This is not a complex bourbon, yet it is a nice pour just the same. Although not a complex bourbon, it is still a great pour.
OLD FORESTER 100 PROOF FINISH:
Old Forester 100 Proof Bourbon has a medium-long finish which leaves a warm sensation in the back of the palate, throat, and esophagus. The finish is faintly floral with notes of white pepper and a refreshing sweetness.
There are hints of seasoned oak which linger which puts forth a subtle woody aftertaste. When the last drops are gone, the empty Glencairn suggests a pleasant memory of the pour.
MY RATING 87/100
Will I buy this whiskey again? YES
Click to read Brian’s scoring process.
Click 87/100 to access other whiskies with this score.
To access other reviews from this brand, click Old Forester.
WHISKEY TRAITS, FLAVOR NOTES AND PROFILE GRAPH:
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