Hannah’s Old Forester 1910 Bourbon Review
Original review written March 16, 2021
GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
This is unlike any other Brown-Forman product I have ever had, but 1910 easily skyrockets into one of my new favorite bourbons, and I look forward to having it again. 91/100
VITALS:
– Made In: Kentucky, USA
– Distiller: Brown-Forman Distillery
– Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
– Age: nas
– Mash Bill: Corn=72%; Rye=18%; Malted Barley=10%
– Casks: Char #4
– Barrel Entry Proof: 125
– ABV: 46.5% (93 proof)
– Price: $54.95 USD in Idaho
Visit brown-forman.com for more information
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:
I’d love to take Old Forester 1910 with me into the mountains when I go fishing. There’s an essence of my favorite river in this bourbon, and sitting on the banks while the sun comes up, surrounded by bubbling water and animals waking up sounds picturesque with this bourbon. Consider it a new goal of mine!
Photo taken by WftA editor, Hannah Dawson
NOSE:
This has rich notes of earth, but especially vanilla on the first draws, with the whole sensation giving off an incredibly warm tone. Deep inhales make for a caramel, molasses, or maple candy treat, and perhaps a bit of pastry. There is not much in the way of fruit, though it’s possible that a dark stone fruit like figs or prunes is coming through a little. Not much spice, and certainly not a heavy alcohol presence either. The wood is old here, but it almost seems a bit like pine as opposed to oak. It’s as though I am in a pine forest, and there is a bit of smokiness from a nearby campfire – there is a definite smoky element here.
PALATE:
– Mouth Feel: VERY oily. It’s honestly such a joy to have at the tip of the tongue, I actually tend to forget that I need to swallow.
– Balance: Not necessarily complex, but definitely solid and just rich and deep. Never a bad thing.
– Visual: This is terracotta pot in color, and it’s a pot that has been certainly fired, as it is very brown in tint. The crown reminds me a lot of Roman arches, with evenly spaced, but thick legs dropping at a snail’s pace down the glass.
– Taste: The first sips don’t want to offer up any distinguishing flavors, but it is definitely rich and deep in body. It’s almost as though I’m eating a caramel dipped apple, but the apple is soft and offers mostly just a base for the caramel to take its leap. There is a bit of brown sugar, and maybe some maple, but I have to really be looking for these flavors. I think the pastry element from the nose is also present, and it acts like the oak in many other bourbons, meaning it seems to bind everything together very seamlessly.
Other fruit could be figs or dates, but they are dark and very subdued behind this sweet, (yet somehow, not surgary) profile. The alcohol is non-existent to an experienced whiskey drinker, but even as someone who enjoys high proof, I find this absolutely delectable.
A Kentucky chew kicks up the pastry and figs, and it’s just enjoyable overall.
FINISH:
– Lasting Power: Medium. There’s a bit of warmth, and a bit of a lingering flavor, but they aren’t ridiculously strong.
– Between Sips: The apple from that caramel apple makes a return between sips, along with a bit of pine and oak.
– No More: This stays quite consistent throughout the glass, and is really just such a sheer joy to drink and have just sit on the tongue. The depth and richness are such a highlight of this bourbon; I love it.
The empty Glencairn smells like pastry, chocolate, and figs. Very new aromas for an empty glass, but still very welcome and enjoyable.
WORTH THE PRICE?
Being 93 proof and only $5 cheaper than Old Forester 1920 (which is 115 proof), I can understand hesitation to pick up a bottle. However, this is incredibly enjoyable with rich, dark tones that I can see myself very easily reaching for this again. Definitely give it a try!
RATING: 91/100
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