Old Forester 100 Proof Bourbon

Starts well with some creaminess and then ends with some zesty bitterness

Vanilla, caramel, maple, dusty log cabin, alcohol, corn, pepper, honey, pecan, clove

Nose: cherry, grains, sweet maple, tart green apple. Taste: let's down a bit of of the hype the nose builds but still good. Sweet cherry some of that apple but not much.

Caramel, candied apples, heat and spice. Quite good.

Honey, a little heat

Wasn't planning on picking this one up so soon, but noticed 2 bottles on the shelf recently at $23, so I had to grab one after enjoying the 86 more than I expected to. Likely around the same age as their Classic 86, you just get more bang for your buck in the higher 100 proof. Let's see if it's worth the modest premium over the entry level 86! Enjoyed neat in a Glencairn, no added water. On the nose, it smells like a classic bourbon profile of sweet butterscotch and brown sugar, vanilla, some apple fruitiness, hint of chocolate, and toasted oak with hints of cedar or pine mintiness. Some corn ethanol burn in there too. Definitely amped up and more fragrant from the weaker 86. On the palate I immediately notice the slightly thicker, more oily feel than the Classic 86. Upon entry, you are hit hard with very heavy baking spices of strong clove and nutmeg and drinks much hotter/spicier than the Classic 86; really wakes up the palate in comparison. The only thing close for me in this category with such high spice would come from Turkey 101, although it’s more cinnamon heavy instead of the baking spices here, but both bring the heat for sure. After the explosion of spices, you can pick out a bit of orange citrus mixed with other fruits maybe apricot, and dark chocolate to almost a coffee note, and burnt sugars. Reminds me of something like chocolate dipped cherries and orange peels with a side of caramels. Not an overly sweet bourbon but not bitter either, nice balance. Good hearty oak flavors with maple bring up the back end of the sip. Did I mention the hot spices? The bang here for the modest $3 premium over the Classic 86 is crazy! The flavors come in waves with OFS, starting with the heavy spices, then a transition to fruits and darker notes of chocolate, and finally to an oaky maple finish. Quite good at this price! Finish is long with maple syrup, tobacco, caramel, more fruit, lingering spice that cools/tingles the entire mouth, and toasted oak with hints of cedar/pine. Nice! Overall, a much spicier, bolder, more flavorful version of the OF Classic 86! If you like it spicy and kicked up with richer flavors, definitely spend the $3 over the 86! At this price point, may become one of my daily favorites. At 100 proof in the low $20s, compares very favorably to my stronger favorites in Turkey 101 or Beam Distillers Cut. All offer high spiciness and plenty of character and flavor from their respective distillery and great value at the same proof level. Although at least $10 more expensive, my favorite 100 proofer is still the McKenna 10 year for its darkness, richness, depth, and complexity. The OFS is a fantastic value for a strong yet classic bourbon with fairly complex waves of flavor! Highly recommended! Cheers!