How to Drink Old Forester 1910

Last Updated on: 26th April 2024, 12:58 pm

Discover the best way of drinking Old Forester 1910: Ideas for tasting, pairing, and enjoying this whiskey.

Written by: J Highland

Key Takeaways

• Best enjoyed straight, in a Glencairn glass, after letting it sit for 15 minutes, according to whiskey expert Neil Coleman.
• Water can be added to enhance sweetness, though it’s already quite sweet.
• The bourbon has rich cherry and smoky oak flavors.
• Suitable glassware includes a Glencairn whisky glass or a traditional bourbon tumbler.
• It pairs well with desserts like dark chocolate truffles and caramel pecan tart.
• Quick Note: Running a pub and liquor store provides me ample access to various spirits, in addition, I moonlight as a spirits distiller. I assess them using customer feedback, expert opinions and online research.

Best Way to Drink Old Forester 1910

“Old Forester 1910 is best enjoyed straight, just let it sit in a Glencairn glass for 15 minutes. This bourbon is a perfect mix of smooth and sweet flavors. “, suggests Bourbon expert, Neil Coleman.

While you can add water to bring out a bit more sweetness, it’s already sweet enough on its own.

The bourbon has a rich cherry flavor with a hint of smoky oak in the finish, making it taste like a dessert on glass.

It’s easy to drink neat because it’s not too strong or harsh, and it doesn’t burn too much.

I really liked Old Forester 1910 and would buy it again and suggest it to others.

It might cost a bit more than other similar bourbons like Woodford Reserve Double Oaked or Maker’s Mark 46, but its great dessert-like taste makes it worth it.

Related: Old Forester 1910 vs 1920

Adding Water

I find Old Forester 1910 to be excellent right from the first pour and adequately sweet as is.

However, if you’re looking to bring out even more sweetness, try adding water drop by drop until it matches your taste preference.

Adding Ice

Adding ice to spirits like whiskey is an option, but I’m not a fan of it because as the ice melts, it waters down the drink.

If you prefer to enjoy your bourbon chilled over a longer period without dilution, whiskey stones might not be the perfect choice for you.

These stones come in different sizes and are meant to be kept in the freezer.

When you’re ready to drink, you can put them in your glass of whiskey, bourbon, or scotch to cool it down without watering it down.

However, the most effective whiskey stones for keeping your drink really cold are the ones made of stainless steel.

Suggested Glassware

A Glencairn whisky glass or a traditional bourbon tumbler is perfect for enjoying Old Forester 1910.

These glasses enhance the drinking experience by concentrating the aromas.

Tasting Notes

Old Forester 1910 has a soft and sweet nose, with hints of cherries, maple syrup, and smoky oak.

It feels smooth and rich in your mouth, making it a pleasure to drink.

The flavors mix well, with cherry, caramel, vanilla, and a bit of an old leather and smoky oak taste.

It has a long aftertaste where you mainly get a strong smoky oak flavor, along with some lasting vanilla and caramel.

Overall, Old Forester 1910 is warm and very pleasant to drink, making it an easy choice for anyone.

Old Forester 1910 in Cocktails

Old Forester 1910 isn’t my top pick for mixing cocktails from the Old Forester range.

I lean towards the Old Forester 100 Proof, which is more budget-friendly and its higher alcohol content gives cocktails a bolder kick.

However, you can still use Old Forester 1910 in these cocktails:

Old Fashioned

• Ingredients:
  • 2 oz Bourbon
  • 1 sugar cube (or 1/2 tsp sugar)
  • 2-3 dashes of Angostura bitters
  • Orange peel for garnish
  • Ice cubes
• Instructions:
  1. Place the sugar cube in an Old Fashioned glass.
  2. Wet it with the bitters and muddle until it’s dissolved.
  3. Add Bourbon.
  4. Fill the glass with ice cubes and stir well.
  5. Garnish with an orange peel, expressing the oils over the drink.

Cherry Bourbon Smash

• Ingredients:
  • 2 oz Bourbon
  • 4-5 fresh cherries, pitted
  • 1/2 oz lemon juice
  • 1/2 oz simple syrup
  • Crushed ice
  • Lemon wheel or cherry for garnish
• Instructions:
  1. In a shaker, muddle the cherries.
  2. Add Bourbon, lemon juice, and simple syrup.
  3. Fill with ice and shake well.
  4. Strain into a glass filled with crushed ice.
  5. Garnish with a lemon wheel or cherry.

Maple Bourbon Sour

• Ingredients:
  • 2 oz Bourbon
  • 3/4 oz fresh lemon juice
  • 1/2 oz maple syrup
  • 1 egg white (optional, for frothiness)
  • Ice
  • Lemon twist for garnish
• Instructions:
  1. Combine Bourbon, lemon juice, maple syrup, and egg white (if using) in a shaker.
  2. First, dry shake (shake without ice) vigorously for about 15 seconds.
  3. Add ice and shake again until well-chilled.
  4. Strain into a glass and garnish with a lemon twist.

These cocktails are designed to complement the sweet and complex flavor profile of Old Forester 1910, adding depth and richness to each drink.

Food Pairings

Pairing Old Forester 1910 with sweet foods can create delightful combinations that enhance the bourbon’s rich, dessert-like profile. Here are five sweet food pairings that go well with Old Forester 1910:

• Dark Chocolate Truffles: The bitterness and richness of dark chocolate truffles can beautifully complement the sweet and smoky flavors of Old Forester 1910, creating a luxurious taste experience.
• Caramel Pecan Tart: The buttery, nutty flavors of a caramel pecan tart pair wonderfully with the caramel and vanilla notes in the bourbon. The pecans add a delightful crunch that contrasts with the smoothness of the whiskey.
• Bourbon-infused Vanilla Ice Cream: Vanilla ice cream, especially when infused with a hint of bourbon, pairs nicely with Old Forester 1910. The creamy texture and vanilla flavors echo the bourbon’s own sweet and smooth characteristics.
• Apple Pie with Cinnamon: A classic apple pie, spiced with cinnamon, offers a warm, comforting taste that harmonizes with the cherry and charred oak notes of Old Forester 1910. The pie’s sweetness and the bourbon’s richness are a match made in heaven.
• Chocolate and Walnut Brownies: Rich, fudgy chocolate brownies with crunchy walnuts can be a delightful pairing. The chocolate’s depth and the walnut’s earthy tones complement the complex profile of Old Forester 1910, especially its cherry and caramel notes.

Preserving the Bottle

• Store in a cool, dark place.
• Ensure a tight seal to prevent oxidation.
• While it doesn’t deteriorate quickly, it’s best enjoyed within a few months after opening.

About Old Forester 1910

• Old Forester 1910 is a tribute to a significant incident that took place in October 1910, when a fire at the distillery interrupted the bottling process.
• To avoid the whiskey aging too much, it was moved from its original barrels to new, heavily charred oak barrels and stored away while the bottling line was fixed.
• The process to recreate this whiskey starts by aging it in lightly toasted barrels, followed by a second period of aging in heavily charred barrels at 100 proof, allowing it to mature further.