Old Forester Single Barrel Rye Barrel Proof

Spur of the moment purchase in a Michigan Costco while traveling through. Price isn't great, but I've never seen it before and I really enjoy the 100 proof OF Rye. Medium amber in the glass, with long-lasting tendrils dropping slowly to stasis. At 65.1% ABV, nosing is an exercise in caution and patience. First whiff 5 minutes after pour is all ethanol, and I couldn't even get my nose to the rim. After 15 minutes, the ethanol is gone and I get a woodshop, with dry lumber, sawdust, a bit of metallic tang, and then suddenly a frosted Christmas spice cake, with clove and raisin and vanilla and nutmeg. A swirl immediately returns the alcohol and requires a full 10 minute reset to get away from burn and back to aroma. Proceed with caution here. Palate opens quite sweet and very hot, like a blast of sugar lava, burning all the way to mid-tongue before subsiding over a few more seconds. This should not be the first dram in an evening of tasting. Another 20 minutes in the glass and the heat has subsided enough that I can get to flavors. And it does not disappoint. Ginger, cinnamon, clove, cinnamon (yes, twice, separately), vanilla, and then mace all ride along a doughy, yeasty wave which immediately calls to mind the spice cake from the nose. Middle turns astringent and oak arrives to introduce a sudden burst of pine bough that leads to a gentle lidocaine numbing tingle and just the smallest amount of spiced vanilla chai on the close. There is no mint, at any point, anywhere, and I don't miss it at all. This is a Rye that is unapologetic in every way. Brash on the nose, hot on the tongue, and demanding of effort to get what it has to offer. I spent 40 minutes sipping and writing this, and I can't help but feel there's more to be found. I look forward to seeing how this changes over time, and will try my best to make it last at least 6 months. If you like Rye, and you can find it, you should buy it. If you're just starting your journey through Rye, you should buy this bottle plus a bottle of Woodford Reserve Rye and a bottle of the Old Forester 100 proof Rye, and then let this sit while you work your way through the Woodford and OF 100 proof. Fantastic dram.

Review #356 Received a sample from a friend. 129.9 proof Glass: Glencairn, rested 15 minutes. Color: Medium amber. Nose: Mint, baking spice, caramel. Palate: Cinnamon, clove, oak tannins. Finish: Long length with a lot of heat. Splash: A mild mint note appears. Overall: 9/10 - This is a big, bold spicy rye with thick mouthfeel and a good deal of complexity. I wish I had more to side by side with other barrel proof ryes.

Gave this bottle a few weeks to open up after initial sip and man what a difference! First crack I mostly just got alcohol and not much flavor but after sitting a few weeks this has become my favorite rye ever.

131 proof, but the heat was contained on the tongue and not burning down my throat

Floor 7 was smooth for 130. We’ll come back to this review. I think it’s closer to 4.25 but I wanna give it another chance before giving that.

Banana bomb