Hannah’s Old Forester 1897 Bourbon Review
Original review written September 8, 2020
GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
Old Forester 1897 Bourbon Review: I think the nose is fantastic, with lots of dark richness. The palate is well-blended with cherries and an overall dryness emerging the most. It’s slightly flat for me, but otherwise a good offering. 88/100
VITALS:
– Made In: Kentucky, USA
– Distiller: Brown-Forman Distillery
– Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey; Bottled in Bond
– Age: nas
– Mash Bill: Corn=72%; Rye=18%; Malted Barley=10%
– Casks: Char #4
– Barrel Entry Proof: 125
– ABV: 50% (100 proof)
– Price: $49.95 USD in Idaho
Visit brown-forman.com for more information
ENJOYMENT METHOD:
I enjoyed the juice neat in a Glencairn glass with father and fellow Whiskey for the Ages reviewer, Brian.
Check out his review for this bourbon here!
SETTING:
With its dry nature, I imagine sipping 1897 on a walking path in autumn wood, shrouded with mist. The crashing echoes of a waterfall are left in one’s ears, leaving the mind empty of all but a soothing warmth, despite being surrounded by a slight chill.
Photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash
NOSE:
Without even bringing this to my nose, the aroma is strong, but very pleasant. When I do take a draw, dried fruit, black pepper, cinnamon, barrel char, and brown sugar come through intensely. Somehow, they blend well together while remaining distinct.
This offers the whole gamut of flavor profiles, with very little alcohol burn to speak of. As a whole, this nose is REALLY warm and rich from flavor and texture. Not crazy complex, but this is very inviting with its darkness.
PALATE:
– Mouth Feel: Pretty viscous and oily. I expected a bit more grit here.
– Balance: Really well-blended, with fruit barely winning out.
– Visual: Terracotta pot in color, with clinging droplets on short legs falling from an ill-defined crown.
– Taste: The first several sips provide a very blended flavor – so much so, it’s hard to distinguish a dominating flavor. Subsequent sips coax out the class Brown-Forman cherry, and a bit of cinnamon, and a light brown sugar. I have to hunt for them a bit, but they are there. Touch of vanilla, but I get the sense there is a nut quality also, but I’m struggling to place it.
There still is very little alcohol burn to speak of, but there remains a warming sensation all the same. The oak from the barrel is present, but it conveys a sweetness as opposed to a spiciness or smokiness.
It’s strange, there’s also an herbal element that lifts this, but I’m unsure of what it could be. Definitely subtle. I know I’ve already said it, but this is so well-blended, I’m struggling a lot of pick specific flavors.
A Kentucky chew wakes up a dusty corn and intensifies the cherry, and offers a smidge of rye.
FINISH:
– Lasting Power: Long. My entire mouth is quite warm and I have flavor clinging to my tongue.
– Between Sips: Red delicious apple, corn and a touch of grass linger between sips. It’s certainly not the dark flavors I would have expected to find here.
– No More: Getting further into the glass, I find burnt marshmallow skin (see my dad’s review also), but the cherry is still strong. There’s also a dried element that emerges which alters the texture a little to become more enjoyable.
The empty Glencairn is a sweet oak with almost a sugar glaze on top. Overall, and enjoyable pour!
WORTH THE PRICE?
At approximately $50, I think honestly, there are better Old Forester products out there (e.g. Old Forester 1920) for just a little more. If you prefer a viscous and really well-blended product, 1897 is worth it, but I like a bit more grit in my bourbon. (I also really like to be able to distinguish flavors, but I think that may just be a pride thing.)
RATING: 88/100
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