Admittedly, the barrel seasoning makes all the difference between . Old Forester 1910 Bourbon Review | The Whiskey Reviewer I'd say this is a bit of a draw on the nose. The finish is rich and powerful, with classic bourbon notes of sweet caramel, dried fruit, vanilla, cinnamon and pepper, with a slight but persistent bitter note on the end. BourbonGuy.com Bottom-Shelf Brackets 2019: The Championship Rounds It is a top selling bourbon in Japan. Today, Evan Williams Bourbon is distilled only blocks from the site of his original distillery. In a whiskey market that's become increasingly fragmented and allocated, Knob Creek's classic small batch bourbon distinguishes itself. In 2018, Luxco opened Lux Row Distillers in Bardstown, KY so expect the bourbon to be made there in the future. But this victory goes to the sister product of Henry McKenna 10-year-old, which won Best Whisky and Best Bourbon at San Francisco World Spirits Competition, and will compete against McKenna for my Best American Whiskey December 20. The rest of the nation is just kinda getting to know em, Minnick says. Today the brand is owned by Luxco. It has a suggested MSRP of $150, and Reserve Bar is your best bet for snagging a bottle. Thats only three fewer years than the Old Fitz above, and its a tenth the price. While I think the standard version is fine, Ive had two private barrel selections that were great. Now, thanks to rising whiskey prices and a consistently strong product, the brand shortened to OGD by fans has a cult following. Cocktail Queries: 10 Great Alternatives to Hyped, Sought-After - Paste Subscribe to his YouTube Channel to watch his Best American Whiskey taste off December 20. [CDATA[ Old Forester 1920 celebrates the Distillery history since 1920 was the year . For instance, Jim Beam, Bakers, Knob Creek, Old Crow, and Old Taylor all have the exact same mash bill (75/13/12 corn/rye/barley), barrel char (level #4), and barreling proof (125 proof). It's a whisky I could drink any time and not get bored with and the 92 proof makes it a prime candidate for cocktails. Production started on Ezra Brooks around the 1950s by the Medley Distillery. In my early review days, I wanted to compare anything and everything that seemed similar. Theres a sense of sweet yet slightly bitter tea next to rye spice and a flutter of fresh mint. Because its not a hype whiskey, doesnt have a famous name and isnt a limited release, it doesnt get talked about but I challenge you to find a bourbon with this much firepower at the price point. On the flip side, expensive bourbon isnt always as refined as it seems. Distillery: Old Forester (Brown-Forman) City: Louisville, KY Style: Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey ABV: 46.5% (93 proof) Availability: Limited, 375 ml bottles, $50 MSRP Jim Vorel is a. So the second way to look at it is really what this site is focused on- how it tastes. Over time, the Yellow Label bottle has changed with the label losing the yellow color. Bottled in Bond: Under the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897, a bottled-in-bond spirit must be produced by one distillery in the same distilling season, then aged under federal supervision and cut and bottled at 100 proof. Its a good, inexpensive, wheated everyday sipper.. This 100 proof bottling is also bottled-in-bond. ABV: 46% Flavor Profile: Sweet & Rich Distiller Score: 88 Very Old Barton 100 Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Very Old Barton, owned by the Sazerac Company, is produced in Bardstown, Kentucky. Old Grand-Dad Bonded Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, NAS, 50% ABV, was the nickname of a distiller named Basil Hayden. According to their story, back in the day, John E. Fitzgerald used his privilege of holding the keys to Pappy Van Winkles bonded warehouse, where the Old Fitzgerald bourbons were kept, to steal the best casks for himself. He is a native of Louisville, KY in the heart of Bourbon Country. Additionally, Four Roses uses up to five different yeast strains for its bourbons, and all are used here. The juice is really crafted as an entry point to Woodfords wider line that showcases their aging and blending prowess. The sour mash prevents wild yeast from entering the mash and causing infections. Thats because Barrell is, at this moment, the best blender of American whiskey there is (they have the trophy case to prove it). Larceny is a small batch bourbon (100 barrels or less) of barrels from the middle three floors of the aging warehouse. Distiller Score: 82. Larceny and Makers Mark can be viewed as offshoot descendants of that distillery due to the connections the labels have with those original three or connections the distillers had with the principal players in that distillery. The label launched with just two bourbons in its portfolio: the two-year Colonel James B. Beam and the more premium Jacobs Well. It has a suggested MSRP of $150, and Reserve Bar is your best bet for snagging a bottle.Garrison Brothers Cowboy Bourbon: Every year for the past eight years, Texas-based distillery Garrison Brothers has released their fan-favorite Cowboy Bourbon: an uncut and unfiltered straight bourbon thats produced in limited numbers. That said, I felt strongly Jack Daniels puts out worthy whiskey and deserved to be in this Best Everyday tasting. This has an incredible sweetness to it, Minnick says. This no-age statement bourbon replaces the Black Label 8 Year. Larceny Barrel Proof A122 Bourbon . Flavor Profile: Rich & Full Bodied Weller CYPB, Weller Full Proof, Redemption Wheated, Wilderness Trail Wheated Mash Bill etc, would all be added. For 2022, the rugged western whiskey is a blend of 8- and 9-year-old barrels from the distillery and clocks in at a whopping 134.8 proof. Distillery: Brown Forman Distillery in Shively, KY (Brown-Forman) Russells Reserve Bourbon, 10 YO, 45% ABV, is produced by Wild Turkey. The finish is medium length, smooth, showing caramel sweetness and pralines, along with spice and some oak notes. We relied on one of the most-esteemed bourbon experts in America, Fred Minnick. Beginning in spring 2018, the name for this product is simply Four Roses Bourbon., ABV: 40% Yes, Ancient Age is the same mash bill, barrel, and barrel proof as Blantons. Plum, pear, cocoa and vanilla are among the tasting notes here. At $20 per bottle, this is a fantastic bourbon and an excellent introduction to wheated bourbons. On the palate, there is caramel and brown sugar, along with vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and charred oak. If you get a chance to visit Loretto, pick up a bottle of the Makers 46 Cask Strength sometime. The whiskey has already won an impressive array of awards. The first is as a collectors item. Pick up *several* bottles of 46 Cask Strength! And its a bartenders dream for its mixability. George T Stagg (Some days I prefer it to just about anything) 5. Look, this is a damn nice dram. And in Division Two we have Old Forester Signature 100 proof up against Wild Turkey 101. Last I heard it was going for about three thousand a bottle if you could find it. ABV: 40% Additionally, BIB whiskey must be bottled at 50% ABV (100 proof). Straight Bourbon Whiskey: Bourbon that is stored in charred new oak for at least two years. Kentuckys population is 4.3 million people. At the end of the day, it's a blue-collar spirit, made by thirsty farmers, for thirsty farmers. At $30 per bottle, this is an outstanding value for an aged, over-proof, classic bourbon. Relative to Kentucky, theyve been around for a few days. Theres a clear sense of bourbon vanilla next to creamy corn and plenty of honey sweetness. Old Forester 86 vs Old Forester 100: Which Wins? - Whisky & Whiskey Larceny is a bourbon produced by the Heaven Hill distillery made from a mash bill that is 20 percent wheat. Still, theyre a lot closer to being the same thing than any amount of advertising would lead you to believe. The finish has a velvet texture that helps it fade fairly slowly while staying warm. Once again, this wonderful bourbon was in the running to win it all. And THAT I can provide some help on. Old Forester 1870's name refers to the year that Brown-Forman founder George Garvin Brown began batching whiskey from three different distilleries (Atherton in Bardstown, Mattingly in Marion and Mellwood in Louisville) to ensure a consistent product. Rebel Yell has been a registered brand since 1936, although the recipe for the bourbon dates back to 1849. 68 percent corn, 20 percent wheat, 12 percent malted barley. This Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey bears no age statement and is bottled at 90 proof. Medley also makes a 12 YO expression bottled at 43.4% ABV, which is outstanding. On the palate, the whiskey has a cooked corn sweetness, with notes of honey, dried peach, tropical fruit, vanilla, caramel and burnt sugar, along with some faint strawberry notes. Thats really a loaded question because there are two ways of looking at it. Sazerac 18 typically demands the highest price in the Buffalo Antique Collection line. It went up for preorder in January 2023 with a retail price of $115. For instance, in New York, property valued at over $1,000 is considered grand larceny. Please be responsible. At a minimum, bourbon must be 80 proof (or 40 percent alcohol), with its mash never allowed to exceed 160 proof (or 80 percent alcohol). This bourbon won Whisky Advocates whiskey of the year, and Minnick was on the tasting panel. With tasting notes that include butterscotch, toffee, caramel and honey, this is one for the sweet tooths. They deserve to be on every Best Everyday Bourbon list for their massive fan base alone. They find themselves waiting in line and participating in lotteries for the likes of Weller Antique, which once collected dust on the shelf. This was so complex, with a 20-second finish and layered in vanilla that it was easily the winner. Each of its releases makes clear what went into it distillery location, whiskey age, proof, etc. High Rye: A bourbon with a higher than normal percentage of mash bill made up of rye (as opposed to using more corn, wheat, or barley, the other main grains used in bourbon mash). About 10 to 12 years ago, Total Wine opened a store in Clearwater Florida. Im not ranking single barrel releases, or one-time releases. Barrell is a blender, not a distiller, and the flavor mastery of founder Joe Beatrice and master distiller Tripp Stimson have won the old bourbon guard over. But its so much cheaper that who cares? The McKenna distillery was established in 1855, founded by the noted Irish immigrant distiller. Flavor Profile: Sweet & Vanilla Old Forester The 117 Series 1910 Extra Old Bourbon Review Don't drink and drive. The barrels that go into each batch are aged anywhere from 6 to 10 years. Old Forester released the "Whiskey Row" line in late 2014 to celebrate the distillery's history. Great mouth flavors. I walk in and find 15 year old Pappy in a red velvet sack sitting on the shelf for about sixty dollars a bottle. I do not covet, nor feel compelled to obtain something that is nearly unobtainable for the challenge. Type above and press Enter to search. If you find it, buy it. The 6 year age statement is now gone and replaced with just the number 6 on the handle, but they bourbon is indeed at least 4 years old. On the nose, there is caramel, cooked corn sweetness and pralines (think almond roca candy), along with plenty of cinnamon and clove spice. ABV: 40% You can follow him on Facebook and Twitter @BillStraub and email him at [emailprotected]. Bottled and sealed, his signature guaranteed quality. Perhaps thats why it was in the running to win it all. Am looking forward to trying some of the others you listed. This is strikingly similar to Woodford on the nose with the same vanilla, tobacco, mint, and floral fruit. Overpowering taste and smell of alcohol. This is a smooth, almost delicate whiskey, and makes an excellent sipper. The 2021 Old Forester Birthday Bourbon is bold, spicy, and fruit forward. 63 percent corn, 27 percent rye, ten percent malted barley. ABV: 50% The spirit is one of those rare drinks that is loved by both bourbon enthusiasts and amateurs. Old Forester 86 Proof Bourbon Review The bourbon category has never been more popular than it is right now. Weller, and to a lesser extent Old Fitzgerald, has been caught up in the cult frenzy that now surrounds Pappy Van Winkle. That bottling is aged at least four years in new, charred American oak. There can be no doubt that a certain 3-word labelhas greatly influenced bourbon and bourbon demand over the past decade. Average Price: $20. The 15 YO version is similar but far richer and complex. On the palate, there are pralines (candied pecans), orange zest, along with caramel, maple syrup, some mint and spice notes of cinnamon and clove. This is a side by side comparison review of the Old Forester 1920 and 1910, both are part of their Whiskey Row series. Flavor Profile: Sweet & Rich Theres more of sweetness at play with toffee and vanilla up top. Old Forester packs a banana note that I thought could dominate the competition if I happened to be in a banana mood. Founded in 1783 as the first commercial distillery in Kentucky, Evan Williams built his distillery along the banks of the Ohio River. It didnt make the cut for the finals. Made using a single recipe and barrel per bottle, its between seven and eight years old and has more complexity than the Small Batch. Head to Head Comparison: Old Forester 100 vs Wild Turkey 101 I like to do head to head comparisons because I feel like it brings out the nuances of each bourbon. This bespoke (and admittedly cool-looking) bottle became extremely famous and then extremely expensive in retail. If you're making drinks, we prefer the light and spicy Four Roses bourbon. That extra time is why the Single Barrel costs three times more than a regular old bottle of Wild Turkey. Yes. Larceny and Old Forester bourbon review - YouTube Old Forester was launched in 1870 by George Garvin Brown and named for Dr. William Forrester, who prescribed bourbon to his patients. But it was not in the cards. The 1910 was release in 2018, and though it shares the . If God gave birth to a bourbon child, this is what it would taste like, Minnick says. While it has an MSRP of just $40 (and costing half that much just a couple of years ago), its become one of the industrys hottest bottles more recently, and these days market prices hover around $300. We asked whiskey personality and author Fred Minnick to uncover which bottles of bourbon lining the shelves are actually worthy of your bar cart. The finish is medium length, sweet and spicy, with notes of dried stone fruit, vanilla and caramel, along with spice notes of nutmeg, clove and allspice. Old Grand-Dad was a contender for Best Everyday Bourbon. ABV: 45.2% Proof: 100. If you can get your hands on the bottle like the Dutton clan did in season 5 of Yellowstone youll be treated to notes of creamed corn, toasted vanilla and a heavy dose of wheat. Wheat as the secondary grain provides a bit of a subtle, yet noticeable contrast to the traditional rye component of standard bourbons. It's a cask strength blend created by the blending masters at Barrell Craft Spirits and it is a doozy. McKenna has a classic bourbon nose of caramel, vanilla and charred oak. The price stops most people from ever getting to drink it and thats a shame. Distillery: Heaven Hill Distillery, Louisville, KY Both are somewhat fruity, but express it differently. Entry proof is 125 proof/62.5 percent. Its just that one of them was in the right spot in the rickhouse and deemed tasty enough not to be blended with other barrels. Below are 8 brands of bourbon that retail for less than $50, many are under $30, that represent excellent values and that you have probably never heard of. On the palate, the whiskey is smooth and sweet, with vanilla and caramel and a little dried fruit. Maker's Mark Cask Strength vs Weller Full Proof . Old Forester Signature 100 Proof Purchase Info: $24.99 for a 750 mL bottle, Total Wine, Burnsville, MN Details: 50% ABV. Tasting notes include monkey bread aroma and Texas-style Dublin Dr. Pepper, making for one interesting palate. It is an heir to the Old Fitzgerald franchise; one of the first wheated bourbons. Where we have full reviews, scores, or tasting notes, I have included links: // < ! Thats nuts in todays whiskey world. This is a BETA experience. Evan William's Black Label is hard to beat for the money. The Bourbon Brown Book - 2021 Edition - Bourbon Culture Buy a case. Finish: Medium length and warm. The bourbon is believed to be approximately 6 YO. Wild Turkey Bourbon 101 is pulled from the barrel at 109 proof before being proofed down only a touch. This whiskey is also BIB and is bottled at 50% ABV. Booker's 25th (Probably gets some subconscious points from knowing it was a one-time release) Now, Top 5 that are fairly available (or sufficiently bunkered): 1. Its what I want to sip at a ballgame.. Dread River Master Series by Eboni Major: Eboni Major is one of the rising stars of the bourbon world. Instead, it was allowed to rest until it hit a point the distillers wanted to hit and then bottled as is. All of this isnt to say that drinking a Wild Turkey 81 is the same as drinking a Russells Reserve Single Barrel. Distiller Score: 86. We're breaking down the varieties of rum, from sugarcane to bottle.