Brian’s Old Forester 1897 Bourbon Review:
08-September-2020
OLD FORESTER 1897 BOTTLED-IN-BOND BOURBON REVIEW:
Old Forester 1897 Bourbon is a dark whiskey. From its aromas and flavors to its finish, all the typical bourbon traits are masked in well blended depth. Sure there are traces of signature Brown-Forman cherry notes, but 1897 is subtle, and yet so much more. From the color, aroma and taste and on to the finish, the barrel has clearly influenced this bourbon. Read on for my complete review of this satisfying pour.
OLD FORESTER 1897 BOTTLED-IN-BOND BOURBON VITAL STATS:
Category: Straight Bourbon
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: 50% (100 Proof)
No batch or bottle number identifiers
Purchase Price: $49.95 USD (2020 – Idaho)
Learn more at https://brown-forman.com/.
ENJOYMENT METHOD:
For the evaluation, alternate amounts, equaling about 4 ounces, were poured into Glencairns from a newly opened bottle. 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 1897 NOSE:
Old Forester 1897 Bourbon has a strong, aromatic nose one can smell many fine aromas as soon as the cork is popped. Even from two feet away, bourbony warm roasted corn and dry dusty grains drift from the glass. When brought to my nose, the faint aroma of tobacco blends with notes of apple. And the Brown-Forman cherry essense I’ve come to expect from the distillery’s offerings is present as well. But dark aromas prevail too. Deep allspice, cinnamon, cloves and rye blend with the juice of figs, dark chocolate and a drop or two of rich vanilla. The entire mixture is nestled in a toffee-like burnt caramel, dark molasses and crushed roasted nuts. Continuing with the dark, there’s plenty of toasted dry old oak and barrel char which fades to musty leather. This bourbon makes me salavate.
OLD FORESTER 1897 PALATE:
The first sip has a subtle bite and is dry and warm. As on the nose, dusty grain, faint tobacco notes and Brown-Forman cherry fruit leather treats the tongue. I am not a cigar smoker, but could see how a nice stick could be enjoyed. When I hold a good sip in my mouth for a prolonged period, smoked graham cracker, rich burnt vanilla, burnt marshmallow skin and caramel make for wonderful treat. While I wouldn’t call 1897 a sweet bourbon, the same dark molasses, toffee sensed on the nose with some bitter walnut, pass to the palate. Old Forester 1897 Bourbon is not overly spicy yet cloves, green pepper and rye dance on the tongue. As I finish each sip, seasoned, dry old oak and smokey, sweet barrel char fade comfortably away.
Balance, Body, Feel and Look:
This bourbon is solid and soft, smooth and well blended. Clinging droplets suspend from an ill-defined crown. As I roll the glass to coat with liquid, widely spaced legs form, returning the liquid to the terracotta colored pool of the Glencairn.
OLD FORESTER 1897 FINISH:
Old Forester 1897 Bottle-in-Bond Bourbon finishes long, dry and warm with a pleasant herbalness, and elements of dusty corn and grain. Its fruits of fig and the ever-present Brown-Forman cherry peak in and out of seasoned dry old oak and leather. And as I sip the last drops, the soft aroma of old oak planks drying in a warehouse float from the empty Glencairn.
MY OLD FORESTER 1897 RATING: 88/100
Will I seek out this whiskey in the future? YES
Click to read Brian’s scoring process.
Click 88/100 to access other whiskies with this score.
To access other whiskies from this brand, click Old Forester.
OLD FORESTER 1897 TRAITS AND FLAVOR NOTES AND PROFILE GRAPH:
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