Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style

Thanks to /u/georgejessel for pouring me this dram

If you happen to only read my bourbon reviews or just been ignoring the silly review styles I’ve been doing and then fallen onto this review, well welcome. This dram was part of a group of whiskey samples I swapped for that my wife then put in order for an Advent Calendar.

Aren’t those usually written about in December? Why yes, they are, but I’m a busy adult with many things to do. Also, did you know porn exists? That takes up some time.

So let’s get to my mystery dram for Day 15, shall we?

Price: N/A at the LCBO

Region: Kentucky

Mashbill: 72% Corn, 18% Rye, 10% Malted Barley

Abv: 57.5%

Colour: 2.5YR 5/10

Nose: Brown sugar, carrot, grassy, peach syrup, cherry bitters

Immediately obvious this is a bourbon. It’s got those specific strong flavours, earth focused, and a good amount of peach. That said, there are some other things going on here. Nice grassy note, some bitter/cherry. I’m intrigued by the nose.

Taste: Dry apple, lemon syrup, thyme, peach, molasses cookies

Nice mixture of fruit and dry, rum-like elements. More and more as I try this, I’m getting the heat, which will kick you in the shins, however overall once you’re over that (and add water) there’s more molasses and cereal here.

It’s not going to compete with an older whisky, but this has elements that are punching above the weight class.

Finish: Carrot, thyme, oak, cloves, white peach

More of that earth/sweetness thing going on. It’s less interesting on the finish, however, it’s nice to sip on, and I will come back to it.

Conclusion: Bit hot, but goes in some cool directions. I realized immediately that this was a bourbon, because I’m awesome and humble like that, however, I was lost as to who made it (probably because I am still trying out different Old Forester every so often).

If you’re not too turned off by higher alcohol, this is a great bourbon to sit back with, add some water (eventually), and enjoy something different. If you are one of those people (and yes, I say “those people” there with derision, because I’m a snob), then it may be a bit hot for you, but I’d still say try it. It’s not too “out there” from other bourbons and water goes a long way with the dram.

82/100

Guess: Bourbon, maybe Elijah Craig?

Actually: OId Forester 1920 Prohibition Style

This whiskey is from the Old Forester Whiskey Row Series. The idea is that in 1920 Brown-Forman was allowed to make their first bottles of bourbon under their permit to bottle it for medicinal purposes. Thus the proof is 115, to match that bourbon after maturation.

Based on the marketing, it’s all for the proof. This doesn’t taste like what people were taking for their medicine, rather it’s a good tasting bourbon with a name that’s a nod to the history. Nicely done.

Bourbon review #247, Kentucky review #157, Whiskey Network review #1672