Hannah’s Old Forester 86 Proof Review
Original review written October 20, 2020
GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
For $20, I find this to be a great value whiskey. It offers way more than I expected it would, with a woody, minty, unique flavor profile, and a dash of Old Forester cherry too. 88/100
VITALS:
– Made In: Kentucky, USA
– Distiller: Brown-Forman Distillery
– Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
– Age: nas
– Mash Bill: Corn=73%; Rye=18%; Malted Barley=10%
– Casks: Char #4
– Barrel Entry Proof: 125
– ABV: 43% (86 proof)
– Price: $19.95 USD in Idaho
For more information, visit oldforester.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:
This would be a great bourbon to enjoy outside, looking through pines out onto a peaceful lake. The sky is a loving and warm lavender, as the sun goes down in a calm, fulfilling evening. 86 is what you drink as you sign off on a busy day, toasting your glass to nature and a productive tomorrow.
Picture taken by Hannah Dawson
NOSE:
Warm and soft oak LEAP out of the glass without even needing to bring it to my nose. When I do go for a deep inhale, I find roasted corn, caramel, and an artificial cherry that is similar to a cough syrup. (Personally, I’ve always liked that smell, so I’m not bothered.)
REALLY deep draws help me detect a subtle white pepper, but in no way is it easily found. An old leather emerges the more the glass breathes, marrying the wood and forming a blanket coating around the other flavors here.
Somewhere in here also is a mint candy sweetness, but it’s fleeting. The mint here is not herbal – rather, it too seems artificial and very weak in its freshness quality. Simply put, it’s a weak, mint candy that runs in and out. Regardless, this nose is way more complex than I expected, and I’m looking forward to sipping.
PALATE:
– Mouth Feel: It’s watery, but there’s an effervescence that makes it interesting.
– Balance: Unexpectedly good. Maybe a little mint heavy, but not bad.
– Visual: Russet muscat in color, there are long, thick, clinging legs, but not much of a crown.
– Taste: Wood and corn come out strongest in the first sip. At 86 proof, this doesn’t burn at all, except for a small tickle. I wasn’t expecting a burn, so again, I’m not bothered.
The mint quality is here on the palate too, but this mint seems far more herbal and less artificial. The leather is here too, and would likely be the dominating flavor were it not for this mint that keeps chasing and nipping at my taste buds – playfully, I might add. In any case, it’s a newer leather this time, and for some reason, my mind keeps going to shoe leather?
At the back of the palate, I find grass and the classic Old Forester cherry, subdued though it may be. It could even be the sensation of cherry rather than the distinct taste. A pinch of mild spice sits with the grass and cherry, but I really have to hunt for it.
A Kentucky chew is mild-tempered in heat, yet playful in nature. All that comes of it flavor-wise is a gentle brightening and warming of the cherry. It’s a fun enough exercise, I’ll likely repeat it.
FINISH:
– Lasting Power: Medium. I’m shocked it has any staying power at all, but the taste (not SO much the warmth) lingers a bit.
– Between Sips: The essence of dried cherries and wood sit between sips. It’s pleasant enough – nothing fancy.
– No More: The cherries continue to grow, but they aren’t particularly juicy. There’re also some apples that emerge with the cherries the further I get into the glass. The warmth intensifies a bit, but a medium finish is where I’ll commit.
The empty Glencairn is oak and cherry. Just a really solid combination.
WORTH THE PRICE?
All in all, are there better whiskeys? Definitely. But at $20, it’s impossible to go wrong with Old Forester 86.
RATING: 88/100
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To access other whiskies from this brand, click Old Forester.
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