The latest WftA Podcast Episode is ready to download! In this show, we delve into how women navigate the traditionally male-dominated world of whiskey.
Hannah and Elora Dawson, Whiskey for the Ages editors – and independent women, talk about the challenges they’ve met while purchasing their favorite pours. We’ll also consider recent industry news, and enjoy some brown liquid along the way.
Old Forester 1910 Bourbon as its name suggests, is “Old Fine Whiskey”. While only a few elements of fruit or spice come through on each sip, 1910 is sweet, but not in the sugary sense. It’s more of a dark sweetness, which for me is about perfect. I found this bourbon is easy to hold in my mouth and after several Kentucky Chews, I had to remind myself to swallow so I could savor the taste. For people who like a smoky oak barrel bomb: buy, Buy, BUY! (And pick up another bottle for the bunker as well.)
When first I popped the Old Forester 1910 cork, I got a faint hit of citrus but little if any alcohol to offend the nose. Upon taking the first sniff, my nose picked up that faint but now bitter citrus along with a trace of herbalness. I also got another fruit; faint, like a scrap of raisin stuck to the inside of an empty SUN-MAID snack box. The spices are scant as well, just a bit of clove and rye.
1910’s sweetness is of simple caramelized sugar, and nearly burnt dark molasses. But in this nectar, it’s the second barreling which shines. Heavy, old oak, hazy toasted wood, and sweet smoky barrel char abound. As I breath in, I am reminded of oak charcoal smoke, like one might get when opening the door of a smoker or smokehouse well into its duties. 1910’s smoky darkness melds into musty leather as a slight peatiness springs from the Glencairn. 1910 just smells good.
OLD FORESTER 1910 BOURBON PALATE:
As on the nose Old Forester 1910’s 46.5% ABV does not assert in the mouth. This is sippin’ whiskey at its finest. It warms and the herbal aroma comes through as taste buds detect faint apple enriched pipe tobacco. And while faint, figs and dates are mix with warm spices of clove, ginger, pepper and rye. Just like on the nose, the sweetness here is tempered, like faint chocolate cream and burnt dark molasses rather than sugary. After each sip I had to remind myself to swallow so I could sense and enjoy each muted flavor. In the mouth, woodiness mirrors the old oak aromatics of hazy, toasted wood, and the smoky sweet barrel char balances with musty and earthy leather. This is a good bourbon.
Balance, Body, Feel and Look: The fist sip of Old Forester 1910 is nearly perfect. I love its rich smoothness and viscous oiliness. 1910 is easy to hold and visually, it is just as thick in the Glencairn. Fat legs return the liquid to the dark burnt amber pool leaving a lingering and evenly spaced inverted crown.
OLD FORESTER 1910 BOURBON FINISH:
If there is fault with Old Forester 1910, it would be in its short finish; although each waft and sip begs another. As I reflect, my throat is warmed with memories of tobacco, rye, dark sweets and heavy oak, hazy, toasted wood, and smoky sweet barrel char. And when the glass is emptied (all too soon I might add), the scent of a working smokehouse remains.
MY OLD FORESTER 1910 BOURBON RATING: 91/100
Will I buy this whiskey again? YES When I want earthy depth and sweet smoke in a bourbon, I’ll be reaching for 1910. Click to read Brian’s scoring process.
Click 91/100 to access other whiskies with this score. To access other whiskies from this brand, click Old Forester.
OLD FORESTER 1910 BOURBON TRAITS AND FLAVOR NOTES AND PROFILE GRAPH:
