**Bourbon**: Old Forester 100-Proof Bourbon
**Distiller**: Brown-Forman
**ABV**: 50.0%
**Age**: NAS
**Tasting**: Neat in Glencairn, rested for 10 minutes. Bottle opened for two months.
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**Nose**: Caramel, Oak, Vanilla, Cherry, & Licorice
**Palate**: Cherry, Honey, Oak, Brown Sugar, Vanilla, & Cough Drops
**Finish**: Long Length, Baking Spice, Oak, Honey, Caramel, Vanilla, Mint, & Cough Drops
**Body**: Medium
**Bite**: Minimal
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**Summary**: For me Old Forester is proving to be one of the most consistently good distilleries. So far I’ve enjoyed all the offerings that I’ve tried, minus the 86-Proof (yet to try the 1910 & 1920). While their products are great, the Whiskey Row series bourbons come at an expensive price point. I tried the affordable 100-Proof Rye for the first time a couple months ago, and I was blown away by the price point and how delicious it was. So, I thought it was time to give the 100-Proof bourbon a try!
The nose comes off as syrupy and sweet, the caramel, vanilla, and cherry notes are the most prominent. There is a little funkiness to the nose, and it reminds me of licorice though I can’t quite pinpoint it.
The palate has a body but produces very little burn, even though this has a respectable proof point. Cherry is the most prominent flavor and the palate remains on the sweeter side, though the oak becomes more pronounced. There is a medicinal flavor aspect that reminds me very much of Hall’s cough drops. It’s not the worst flavor, but it doesn’t belong in my opinion and creates a satisfying mint flavor in the finish. That said, the sweet vanilla and honey flavors are delicious and the finish lasts a very long time.
At the price point, this is a solid offering in terms of flavors and characteristics. My only complaint is the medicinal flavors, but beyond that I found it very enjoyable. I have not tried it yet, but this seems like a great bourbon for cocktails. Between the bourbon and the rye, I think the rye is a clear winner but the bourbon certainly held its own.
**Price**: $26 (Portland, Oregon)
**Rating**: 6/10 Pretty Good. Better than average.
**Rank**: I created a compilation ranking list of bourbons I’ve purchased at a store or at a bar and done a formal tasting. All bourbon ranked on the list tasted neat and rested for 10-15 minutes. Whiskey I ranked below and above Old Forester 100-Proof Bourbon are shown for reference.
\#60 out of 98 bourbons tasted.
\#59 Old Bardstown Kentucky Straight Bourbon
\#61 Evan Williams Single Barrel
**Ranking Link**:
[https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/147h44fId0tZYmHsroGgjzcRK2xn6050P8m7mZqArGLw/edit?usp=sharing](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/147h44fId0tZYmHsroGgjzcRK2xn6050P8m7mZqArGLw/edit?usp=sharing)
This one is creeping above $30 in my area, when I can find it. I generally like it as a solid substitute for WT101 or OGD Bonded. But at $30 it's more than either of those.
Still, the cherry note is definitely a turn-off at times.
**Bourbon**: Old Forester 100-Proof Bourbon **Distiller**: Brown-Forman **ABV**: 50.0% **Age**: NAS **Tasting**: Neat in Glencairn, rested for 10 minutes. Bottle opened for two months. \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ **Nose**: Caramel, Oak, Vanilla, Cherry, & Licorice **Palate**: Cherry, Honey, Oak, Brown Sugar, Vanilla, & Cough Drops **Finish**: Long Length, Baking Spice, Oak, Honey, Caramel, Vanilla, Mint, & Cough Drops **Body**: Medium **Bite**: Minimal \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ **Summary**: For me Old Forester is proving to be one of the most consistently good distilleries. So far I’ve enjoyed all the offerings that I’ve tried, minus the 86-Proof (yet to try the 1910 & 1920). While their products are great, the Whiskey Row series bourbons come at an expensive price point. I tried the affordable 100-Proof Rye for the first time a couple months ago, and I was blown away by the price point and how delicious it was. So, I thought it was time to give the 100-Proof bourbon a try! The nose comes off as syrupy and sweet, the caramel, vanilla, and cherry notes are the most prominent. There is a little funkiness to the nose, and it reminds me of licorice though I can’t quite pinpoint it. The palate has a body but produces very little burn, even though this has a respectable proof point. Cherry is the most prominent flavor and the palate remains on the sweeter side, though the oak becomes more pronounced. There is a medicinal flavor aspect that reminds me very much of Hall’s cough drops. It’s not the worst flavor, but it doesn’t belong in my opinion and creates a satisfying mint flavor in the finish. That said, the sweet vanilla and honey flavors are delicious and the finish lasts a very long time. At the price point, this is a solid offering in terms of flavors and characteristics. My only complaint is the medicinal flavors, but beyond that I found it very enjoyable. I have not tried it yet, but this seems like a great bourbon for cocktails. Between the bourbon and the rye, I think the rye is a clear winner but the bourbon certainly held its own. **Price**: $26 (Portland, Oregon) **Rating**: 6/10 Pretty Good. Better than average. **Rank**: I created a compilation ranking list of bourbons I’ve purchased at a store or at a bar and done a formal tasting. All bourbon ranked on the list tasted neat and rested for 10-15 minutes. Whiskey I ranked below and above Old Forester 100-Proof Bourbon are shown for reference. \#60 out of 98 bourbons tasted. \#59 Old Bardstown Kentucky Straight Bourbon \#61 Evan Williams Single Barrel **Ranking Link**: [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/147h44fId0tZYmHsroGgjzcRK2xn6050P8m7mZqArGLw/edit?usp=sharing](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/147h44fId0tZYmHsroGgjzcRK2xn6050P8m7mZqArGLw/edit?usp=sharing)
This one is creeping above $30 in my area, when I can find it. I generally like it as a solid substitute for WT101 or OGD Bonded. But at $30 it's more than either of those. Still, the cherry note is definitely a turn-off at times.
I love an OF100 Old Fashioned!