I’ve been wanting to try this vesche for a good long while old droogs, ever since I viddied the Bourbon Junkies on YouTube praise at length of the bottle’s refined palette, especially given the price they were finding it at. For me, Old Forester popped up in the Syracuse UT Liquor Store for $59.99 per bottle, and that’s a bit of a penny for me now as I live on my own in a farmhouse. Regardless, I was eager to try it and hope that it can live up to the hype I was given.
Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style
Old Forester Distilling Co.
Louisville, KY, USA
$59.99
Nose - Right up front I can tell you that this nose is unique. It’s sweet, like, really sweet, jumping out of the glass with gleeful cavort, dancing with nearly effervescent claps of Strawberry Jam and creamy nut butter that remind me of the prepackaged Gif PP&J Crustables. Dates, apricots, and dark raisins come in clutch with the deep end of the nose, with a very light leathery end.
Palate - OOOOHHHHH that’s nice. It jumps straight out of the glass and gives a twirling sensation of sweet honey, vanilla cream soda, that same dark raisin sweetness, and perhaps a very subtle flash of banana creme as well.
Finish - The finish here is delightfully devilish, with what initially delivers such a wildly sweet and playful first half of the experience is kicked up to 11 as the 115 proof comes sizzling down the gullet. Its cinnamon notes remind me of a warm winter evening, sitting near a fire with a hot tea still steaming from the cup.
Thoughts - Yeah, this one delivers. I can absolutely understand the hype behind this one, even if only for the barrel-proof punch and a modest price. You’re paying close to the high end here but 1920 assures you that it means business and delivers a wildly pleasant experience. It comes like a pour of nectar from the oaks, and it’s no wonder they tried to outlaw the stuff during the prohibition. If this really is the same recipe they were using back then, everyone would surely have been living in a near olympian ecstasy!
9/10 - An incredible bottle of flavor that would make an excellent gift or tasting experience. Treat this one with care.