Hannah’s Old Forester Statesman Bourbon Review
Original review written September 18, 2021
GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
It’s a good bourbon. Mild, gentle, and probably a great bourbon for beginners wanting to try outside of bottom-shelf bourbons. Would I buy it again? I don’t think I need to. 85/100
VITALS:
– Made In: Kentucky, USA
– Distiller: Brown-Forman Distillery
– Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
– Age: 4 years (said to be a mingling of 4 to 6 year old barrels selected from warmer sections of the distillery’s heat-cycled rickhouses)
– Mash Bill: Corn=72%; Rye=18%; Malted Barley=10%
– Casks: Char #4
– Barrel Entry Proof: 125
– ABV: 47.5% (95 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 imagine enjoying Old Forester Statesman on a train car. The seats are vintage, and the lights are a buttery, yellow glow that make everything warm. The lull of the train on the tracks, and perhaps a good book, would make this bourbon and you feel right at home as you wait to arrive at your destination.
Photo by Jennifer Latuperisa-Andresen on Unsplash
NOSE:
This smells immediately chocolate-y and caramelly in much the way a candy bar would on the first inhale. Barrel char is quick to follow, but it hasn’t become at all bitter – rather, it is more of an oaky bite. Along with the oak, however, I find a very strong pine element, not only just the wood, but even raw pinecones. It makes the whole aroma comforting and cozy, while also unique and different. I find other dark flavors that complement quite well, including leather, molasses, a salty toffee, and some roasted nuts. There isn’t much other spice beyond the barrel char and not a great amount of fruit either. There could be some bing cherries or maybe some wine tannins, but I don’t think these are the main heroes of this pour.
The alcohol is incredibly mild, and I don’t think there is a way to get burned on this nose, which is always nice.
PALATE:
– Mouth Feel: Soft. No matter how much you push it around, Old Forester Statesman is going to remain soft.
– Balance: Solid. Nothing sticks out awkwardly, and the main flavor of nuts and oak work well together.
– Visual: Auburn in color, this produces many fast-dropping legs, and many clinging droplets after the legs fade.
– Taste: I can let this sit on the palate for some time without feeling at all bothered by the alcohol presence, as it continues to be mild. The palate itself offers up an instant nutty quality like walnuts, but pine nuts are also noted. Pine wood is again, present, but it is much more gentle than it was on the nose. The corn of the mash bill, I think, is providing the greatest sense of sweetness, though it is still minor. There could perhaps be some light vanilla and simple syrup; however, again, there is not much sweetness to note, and the sweetness that is present, is subtle.
As stated, the bourbon heat is minimal, and when I partake in a Kentucky chew, the alcohol still doesn’t punch hard, and the buttery-ness of the nuts only increases. It tastes just fine, but no new surprises or flavors from this exercise.
FINISH:
– Lasting Power: Short-Medium. I get a bit of warmth at the back of the palate after the sip, but not much else.
– Between Sips: There really isn’t much flavor between sips, save maybe for a tint of oak. I’d say this is a very clean pour.
– No More: This stays very consistent throughout the glass without anything significantly new to add. There could be a slight increase in heat, but it’s still very mild and relaxed.
The empty Glencairn is a sweet oak, and it is no surprise that it continues to be soft and very gentle. A good pour overall.
WORTH THE PRICE?
A very simple bourbon, but it is certainly rooted in all good things, and I do believe it stands out flavor-wise from its peers that are priced similarly. Whether or not I am wowed by what is offered is another matter. Though it’s different, and tastes fine, I’m not entirely sure that it is worth this price, when only a few dollars more gets you Old Forester 1920. If you are a beginner, trying out other shelves at your Liquor Store, this might be one to investigate, but otherwise, I don’t think it’s worth repeat purchases.
OLD FORESTER STATESMAN BOURBON REVIEW RATING: 85/100
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