Old Forge Reserve

Oak on the nose, blended with grains, wheat, grasses, leather, and softened by hints of vanilla and caramel. The taste is initially soft Oak forward (meaning not “heavy oak”), which transitions into notes of leather caramel, and some production – alcohol based spices. Please don’t be scared by my aforementioned description, as this is a very, very pleasant and enjoyable, sipping whiskey for me. I am not a “heavy oak – forward” fan and this is one of the few bourbon whiskeys that I can honestly say I really enjoy with the notes of Oak-forward (on the nose and tip of my tongue) in the tasting process. The taste ends with some spicy notes, but finishes well. It teases me with an on and off linger of warmth and hints of leather and dare I say even some tobacco notes re-emerge, wonderfully softened by hints of vanilla & caramel. There is no “Kentucky hug“ involved with this Whiskey on the finish (in my hunble opinion), and I will gladly refill my Glen Carirn glasd for subsequent pours. As a craft distillery in eastern Tennessee, this Whiskey checks many of my boxes that I look for from a solid and very enjoyable whiskey/bourbon . Cheers!! “Rickhouse 1897”