Old Forester 100 Proof Bourbon

Great nose of vanilla, spice, oak, and syrup. Thin on the taste more alcohol and little structure which contradicts the nose. This bourbon is excellent for mixing old fashions but as a stand alone on the rocks it is lacking. I keep a bottle on hand for mixing in my cabinet.

Thick, loaded and filled with all the dessert goodness. Nose: Butterscotch, rich mahogany, dark dark fruits, and bright pop of cherries. Palate: Rich, layered with baking spices and heaps and heaps of orange zest and wood. It almost drinks like a strong cocktail. Proof does shine through so, it’s hot. Finish: Once the proof heat dwindles, the vanilla and caramel softens everything up. Citrus and cherry continues, ending with a barrel bite.

I love what Brown-Foreman is doing innovation wise with the Whiskey Row Series, the creative mashbills on Woodford Malt and Wheat, the introduction of Single Barrel and Barrel Proof Jack, and the cocktail culture they promote with their own line of bitters, etc. I have not been enamored with the standard and Signature Old Forester, but after a couple years I decided to give the OF100 another shot. NOSE: The latex paint note I get from BF bourbons is front and center, but hey, I love Cascade Hollow products despite the Flintstone Vitamin note, so maybe I can get past this note as well. Let it breathe for awhile and you are rewarded with notes of Cooked Cherries, Coconut, Oak Shellac, and a little Heat. A little more time yields notes of Almonds and Sugar Cookie Dough. NEAT: Medium mouthfeel. You're immediately hit with Varnished Oak. Cherry, Coconut, Vanilla, Dark Chocolate, and cinnamon show up as well. A little Astringent and a Pleasantly Warming Kentucky Hug on the finish. The Palate gets a light coating of Vanilla, Cherry, and Mild Astringent Oak. It's not as clingy as I like. SPLASH: A little water gives the Nose and Palate a good bit of Maple Syrup. Ups the Polished Oak notes as well. The mouthfeel becomes a little creamier and the finish takes on a hint of Salted Butter. VERDICT: I liked this much better than I remembered. Maybe my tastebuds are gravitating more toward the BF Profile. To me, it's almost tropical with the cherry and coconut notes. I can definitely see this becoming part of the everyday rotation. It also helps that it cocktails well.