Distillery: Brown-Forman Distillery
Proof: 93
Age: NAS
Mashbill: 72% Corn, 18% Rye, & 10% Malted Barley
BACKGROUND: Old Forester 1910 is the final release of the Whiskey Row Series which included Old Forester 1870 Original Batch, Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style, & Old Forster 1897 BiB. The year 1910 represents an important time in the Brown-Forman Distillery’s history, marking the year of a tragic fire that shut down the bottling line indefinitely. At the time there was a vat full of aged whiskey waiting to be bottles that were moved into new charred oak barrels. This was the first time Old Forester double barreled their whiskey, leading to the name “Old Fine Whiskey.” All 1910 bottles come from standard Old Forester that is then placed in new, lightly toasted, charred oak barrels.
NOSE: The nose on Old Forester 1910 screams dessert, loaded with rich flavors of sweet scents of vanilla, brown sugar or cinnamon sugar. The longer you sit with the nose he better it gets! Flavors of frosting and baking sweets start to conform as the nose adjusts to the whiskey. (23/25)
PALATE: As you take the first sip, you are immediately faced with a sweet, thick taste that warmly coats your mouth. As I let the whiskey sit, the sweet sugars merged, forming a burnt, sappy caramel vanilla flavor. The heavily charred oak barrels definitely play a heavy role in this palate, showing traditional sweet bourbon flavors, but not to the point where it is too much. (35/40)
FINISH: As the palate fades, so do the sweet flavors that accompanied the nose and palate. The finish is much more dry, dominated by the charred oak flavors, with side notes of tobacco and leather that combine quite well. (20/25)
VALUE: I sound like a broken record saying this, but $70 just little high, for this expression. (6/10)
Overall: 84/100
FINAL THOUGHTS: Old Forester “Old Fine Whiskey” has the perfect name. It is a delicious whiskey that gives a delightful combination opening with flavors of sweet younger whiskeys, yet closing out with flavors that are more prevalent with bottles that are aged for 10+ years.
Similar & Slightly Better Whiskey: Woodford Reserve Double Oaked
Similar & Equal Whiskey: Maker's Mark Private Select
Similar & Slightly Worse Whiskey: Angel's Envy Rye
Tell us what you think and give us some feedback!
Scoring Legend:
96-100: The perfect dram, juice of the gods
90-95: Near perfect, truly incredible whiskey
85-89: Amazing whiskey, will always try to keep a backup bottle of this
80-84: Very good, some minor flaws here or there
75-79: Good, quite enjoyable to drink, Will try and keep a bottle on the shelf
70-74: Solid, wouldn’t go out of my way to get this
60-69: Decent, would offer this up to non whiskey drinkers
50-59: Not my cup of tea
Below 50: Give away
