Swahili1
Old Forester 150th Anniversary Bourbon (Batch 01)
Bourbon — Kentucky, USA
Reviewed
November 11, 2021 (edited December 7, 2022)
Tasting- 2oz. Neat in glen cairn, and then with 6-7 drops of water. Appearence is a deep reddish amber, legs are fat and slow running.
Nose- caramel bull's eye cream candies and dark red fruits are dominating. The nose also showcases plenty of oak. A bit hot to start, but the aromas are rich and decadent. A bit of water brings out the best this bourbon has to offer.
Palate- cherries jubilee with a side of baked Alaska all covered in caramel. Neat it has some strong bite back at you. This batch is not playing! Then it gives way to some spiciness. A bit of nutmeg and perhaps allspice? Just a dusting of that as the fruit and caramel are forward. I can't get over the richness here. Water really helps tone down some of the ethanol and releases some nice cherry pie crust, but this is still a beast! This is bourbon from the barrel much like an older Booker's- unabashadely genuine.
Finish- looooooong finish! That cherry pie and crust all coated in gooey caramel is definately for me!
Overall- hands down the best thing I have ever had from Old Forester. I have had every Birthday Bourbon offering in the last 5 years, and have sampled President's choice 2019 (once) so you can judge my comparisons with your own OF inventory. This is what bourbon should be- sweet, oaky, a bit thick, rustic, and screaming "look at me!" This bottle reminds me of one of my favorites of all time- Booker's Center Cut.... but without the signature JB peanutiness. If you can get one- get one!
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Sounds awesome..saw one for $499..groan! The BoozApp says fair is $300
I was lucky. I got it for srp at 129.99. well worth that imo. secondary price aat 350-400..... I doubt any bourbon really should command that @PBMichiganWolverine
@PBMichiganWolverine It was allocated, so I never saw it for less than $300
@Swahili1 $400 here in NJ/NYC…wow. I’m late to the game on this