Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style

My first Forester, and I loved it! The nose had me intrigued, with brown sugar, chocolate, and dark fruit all working together. Palate had the same flavors, but adds hints of smoke and coffee. The finish continues as expected, with allspice showing it’s beautiful face. I could drink this all night. Adding a tsp of water to my dram made it oh so buttery! If Old Forester was producing “medicine” like this in 1920, I bet everyone was healthy as can be.

Caramel, light oak and some smokiness on the nose. Warm and sweet, candied fruit, vanilla, and a bit of burn on the finish.

This is the most recent and most critically acclaimed release of Old Forester's Whiskey Row series, which is the catchall name for the brand's upscale offerings. Each bottle is named after a year and meant to convey some sense of the style of that time period -- in this case, this bourbon is meant to channel the spirit of powerful, Prohibition-era cask strength bourbons produced for "medicinal" purposes. I wasn't a fan of Old Forester 1897, but this bottle may be the single best regularly available (i.e., not limited edition or seasonal release) bourbon out there. Old Forester 1920, like life, is like a box of chocolates. Sometimes the chocolate combines with cherry or fruit paste fillings, sometimes with caramel, sometimes with star anise and some woodier flavors. You never know what you're going to get (last Gump joke, I promise). Chocolate and vanilla, ssswwwiiirrrlll (for those Orange Is the New Black fans out there). It's dark, rich, and powerful, like a sweet milk stout. I'm surprised they don't release this as a limited edition. It's better than Booker's or Stagg Jr. and, at $60-65, it's pricey but good value for money.

I just hope everyone keeps thinking this is an average bourbon so there is more for me... AMAZING, always stocked at home. NOSE - vanilla buttercream, candied orange, black pepper PALATE - vanilla buttercream cupcake (really), clove, lemon zest FINISH - great finish, the rye spice shines through, cedar, great sizzle that lasts.