Last Updated on: 17th April 2024, 09:46 pm
J Highland
J Highland is a certified sommelier with 30 years in the liquor industry, owning a pub, a liquor store, and moonlighting as a spirits distiller.
With the assistance of Bourbon expert Neil Coleman and valuable customer insights, I have reviewed and ranked every Old Forester release to determine which is best.
Written by: J Highland
Choosing the Best Old Forester Bourbon
This comprehensive guide explores the vast offerings of Old Forester bourbon, highlighting key characteristics and ideal consumption methods for each expression.
For Smooth Sailing:
- Old Forester 86 Proof: An affordable and approachable choice with notes of brown sugar, caramel, and vanilla. Enjoy it neat, on the rocks, or in cocktails (great value for mixing).
- Old Forester 1870: Easy-sipping bourbon with a fruit cake twist (raisins, cherry, caramel). Perfect neat or on the rocks for a pleasant and uncomplicated experience.
- Old Forester 100 Proof: A smooth everyday bourbon with a pleasant mix of oak and caramel, hints of spice, and a touch of mint. Enjoy it neat, on the rocks, or in cocktails (strong alternative to Knob Creek).
- Old Forester 1910: Sweet cherry and oaky character. Cherries dominate the aroma and taste, with burnt oak on the finish. Perfect for sipping neat, offering a delightful and dessert-like experience.
For the Adventurous Palate:
- Old Forester Statesman: Spicy and cherry twist with cinnamon, brown sugar, and oak. Enjoyable neat, with water tempering the peppery heat. A decent dram inspired by “Kingsman: The Golden Circle.”
- Old Forester Rye: A spicy and bold rye whiskey with rye spice, spearmint, cinnamon, clove, vanilla, and caramel. Great for cocktails and those who enjoy a full-flavored dram.
- Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style: A well-balanced and flavorful bourbon with notes of caramel, banana, and spice. Ideal for sipping neat, a tribute to a bygone era (excellent bourbon under $100).
- Old Forester Single Barrel: Bold but balanced barrel-proof beauty with banana, caramel, vanilla, and oak flavors. Despite its high proof, it drinks surprisingly smooth. Highly recommended for its unique profile (widely available).
Limited Releases:
- Old Forester Birthday Bourbon: Cherry and spice notes, but limited appeal and difficulty finding it might make it less attractive compared to other options.
- Old Forester President’s Choice: Rich and spicy single barrel with a complex aroma and long, warming finish. A well-balanced and delicious bourbon, rewarding with each sip (hand-selected by President Campbell Brown).
General Tips:
- Consider your preferred flavor profile and budget when choosing an Old Forester bourbon.
- Some expressions benefit from a splash of water to unlock more complexity or tame the heat.
- Old Forester offers a variety of bourbons, from easy sippers to adventurous expressions suitable for all palates.
With this guide in hand, you’re well-equipped to embark on your Old Forester bourbon journey and discover your perfect pour!
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.
Old Forester 86: Smooth & Affordable Sipper
- Nose: Brown sugar, caramel, ethanol
- Palate: Vanilla, banana, oak, spice
- Finish: Caramel, oak
- Alcohol content: 86 proof (43% ABV)
- How to drink: Rocks, cocktails
Old Forester 86 starts with a warming alcohol note that gives way to brown sugar and caramel. The medium-bodied taste is smooth with a hint of mustiness, offering vanilla, banana, cinnamon, and charred oak. The finish is short and slightly bitter with lingering caramel and oak.
This enjoyable neat or on-the-rocks dram is also perfect for affordable cocktails at 86 proof, states whiskey expert Neil Coleman.
Old Forester 1870: Easy-Sipping Bourbon with Fruit Cake Twist
- Nose: Raisins, leather, cherry, caramel, oak
- Palate: Caramel, vanilla, cherries, banana, pepper
- Finish: Dark chocolate, oak, caramel
- Alcohol content: 90 proof (45% ABV)
- How to drink: Add water, cocktail
Old Forester 1870 offers a unique twist on classic bourbon. The nose entices with fruit cake, caramel, vanilla, and a touch of alcohol. The palate echoes the fruit cake theme, adding cinnamon and toasted caramel with subtle oak. The finish lingers with a moderate bitterness and charred caramel sweetness.
This smooth and mellow bourbon is perfect for easy sipping neat or on the rocks. While not overly complex, it delivers a pleasant and uncomplicated experience. For a bolder cocktail like an Old Fashioned, a more assertive bourbon might be preferable.
Old Forester Statesman: Spicy & Cherry Twist on Bourbon
- Nose: Cinnamon, cherry, oak, brown sugar
- Palate: Honey, caramel, vanilla, cinnamon, black pepper
- Finish: Medium, cherry, oak, cinnamon
- Alcohol content: 95 proof (42.5% ABV)
- How to drink: Add water, rocks
Old Forester Statesman offers a cinnamon-forward profile with hints of cherry, brown sugar, and oak. The taste leans sweet with honey and caramel, balanced by cinnamon and peppery spice. The finish lingers with cherry cough syrup notes, oak, and lingering cinnamon warmth.
Enjoyable neat, with water tempering the peppery heat. This solid bourbon features classic flavors, but the price might seem high for its missing age statement and moderate proof. A decent dram inspired by “Kingsman: The Golden Circle,” offering a respectable sipping experience.
Old Forester 1897: Smooth & Sweet Bourbon for Easy Sipping
- Nose: Raisins, leather, cherry, caramel, oak
- Palate: Caramel, vanilla, cherries, banana, pepper
- Finish: Dark chocolate, oak, caramel
- Alcohol content: 100 proof (50% ABV)
- How to drink: Add water, cocktail
Old Forester 1897 boasts a rich nose of raisins, leather, cherry, and caramel with a touch of oak char. The full-bodied palate is smooth and creamy, offering sweet flavors of banana, caramel, cherry, and black pepper. The medium-long finish lingers with chocolate, cherry, and caramel, but without a strong warming sensation.
This easy-drinking 100-proof bourbon is ideal for neat sipping, thanks to its smooth sweetness and straightforward flavor profile. However, the higher price and subtler notes might make it less suitable for complex cocktails. While not intense, it delivers a pleasant and enjoyable sipping experience.
Old Forester Rye: Spicy & Bold for Rye Fans
- Nose: Rye spice, spearmint, cinnamon
- Palate: Rye spice, cinnamon, clove, vanilla, caramel
- Finish: Medium length, anise, clove, cinnamon
- Alcohol content: 100 proof (50% ABV)
- How to drink: Rocks, cocktails
Old Forester Rye hits you with rye spice and cinnamon right from the start, with a hint of nail polish at first. The peppery palate explodes with cinnamon, clove, and baking spices, balanced by vanilla, caramel, and a touch of licorice. The finish is sharp and spicy, packed with rye and cinnamon. Adding water unlocks more sweetness in this complex and bold rye whiskey.
A great value for its price, this rye shines in cocktails and is perfect for those who enjoy a spicy and full-flavored dram.
Old Forester 100 Proof: Smooth Everyday Bourbon
- Nose: Alcohol, oak, caramel
- Palate: Caramel, vanilla, cinnamon, chocolate, mint
- Finish: Spice, tobacco, oak
- Alcohol content: 100 proof (50% ABV)
- How to drink: Add water, cocktail
Old Forester 100 Proof Bourbon starts with a warm alcohol note that mellows into oak and caramel aromas. The medium-bodied taste offers a pleasant mix of oak and caramel with hints of cinnamon, dark chocolate, cherry, and mint, finishing with a touch of spice. The medium-length finish lingers with spice, tobacco, and oak. A splash of water unlocks more sweetness and oak, taming the spice.
This smooth and affordable bourbon is a great everyday drinker and offers a strong alternative to brands like Knob Creek, making it a solid choice for bourbon lovers.
Old Forester 1910: Sweet Cherry & Oak Dessert in a Glass
- Nose: Cherries, maple syrup, charred oak
- Palate: Cherries, caramel, leather, charred oak
- Finish: Oak char, caramel, vanilla
- Alcohol content: 93 proof (46.5% ABV)
- How to drink: Neat, rocks
Old Forester 1910 tempts the nose with cherries, maple syrup, and charred oak. The creamy palate echoes the cherry theme with rich caramel, vanilla, hints of leather, and charred oak. The long finish lingers with charred oak, whispers of vanilla and caramel, and a gentle warming sensation.
This dessert-like bourbon boasts a perfect balance of sweetness and oaky character. Cherries dominate the aroma and taste, while burnt oak takes center stage in the finish. Perfect for sipping neat, this sweet, flavorful, and smooth bourbon is a delightful sipping experience.
Old Forester 1920: Prohibition Powerhouse with Balanced Sweetness
- Nose: Caramel, banana, spice, ethanol
- Palate: Brown sugar, vanilla, caramel
- Finish: Medium, cinnamon, caramel, oak, spice
- Alcohol content: 115 proof (57.5% ABV)
- How to drink: Add water, rocks
Old Forester 1920 channels the Prohibition era. The nose entices with caramel, banana, rye spice, and a touch of alcohol. The rich and buttery palate offers vanilla, caramel, brown sugar, and nutty notes. Despite its higher proof (115), it drinks smooth with a dry, warm finish laced with cinnamon spice, caramel, and oak.
This well-balanced and flavorful bourbon is ideal for sipping neat. A tribute to a bygone era, it’s recognized as an excellent bourbon under $100.
Old Forester Birthday Bourbon: Cherry & Spice, But Limited Appeal
- Nose: Cherry, leather, caramel
- Palate: Brown sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, oak
- Finish: Caramel, vanilla, oak spice
- Alcohol content: 104 proof (52% ABV)
- How to drink: Add water
Old Forester Birthday Bourbon offers a unique nose of cherry candy, leather, caramel, and a touch of alcohol. The light-bodied taste features brown sugar, cinnamon roll, and balanced oak with a slight hint of nail polish. The medium-long finish lingers with caramel, vanilla, and oak spice.
While enjoyable and easy to drink, the Birthday Bourbon might not justify the hype or difficulty of finding it, especially considering other equally good or better bourbons that are more readily available.
Old Forester President’s Choice: Rich & Spicy Single Barrel
- Nose: Vanilla, caramel, oak
- Palate: Baking spice, honey, vanilla, caramel, oak
- Finish: Long, rye spice, caramel, oak
- Alcohol content: 104 proof (57% ABV)
- How to drink: Add water
Old Forester President’s Choice boasts a complex aroma. The initial alcohol hint fades to reveal vanilla, caramel, and oak. The warm palate opens with maple honey, then transitions to baking spices, vanilla, caramel, and oak. The long finish is warming with a spicy kick, lingering with caramel and oak.
This well-balanced and delicious single-barrel bourbon offers a delightful balance of warmth and spice. A splash of water can further smooth the experience. Hand-selected by President Campbell Brown and the master taster, this bourbon rewards with increasing enjoyment with each sip.
Old Forester Single Barrel: Bold But Balanced Barrel Proof Beauty
- Nose: Banana, vanilla, oak, banana, ethanol
- Palate: Banana, caramel, vanilla, brown sugar, oak char
- Finish: Long, cherry, cinnamon, spice, oak
- Alcohol content: 130 proof (65% ABV)
- How to drink: Add water
Old Forester Single Barrel packs a punch on the nose with banana, cherry, vanilla, oak, and a touch of alcohol. The creamy, chewy palate treats you to banana, caramel, vanilla, brown sugar, and oak char. The long and warm finish balances the sweetness with cherry, cinnamon, rye spice, and a touch of oak bitterness.
Despite its high proof, it drinks surprisingly smooth. Highly recommended for its unique flavor profile and satisfying experience, this widely available bourbon is a must-have.
Buying Guide
Prices are approximate and stated in USD:
| Whiskey | Price | Proof |
| 86 | $24 | 86 |
| 1870 Original Batch | $49 | 90 |
| 100 Proof Rye | $27 | 100 |
| Statesman | $60 | 95 |
| 1897 Bottled in Bond | $56 | 100 |
| 100 Proof Signature | $27 | 100 |
| 1910 Old Fine Whisky | $60 | 93 |
| 1920 Prohibition Style | $63 | 115 |
| Birthday Bourbon | $130 | 104 |
| President’s Choice | $165 | 110 |
| Single Barrel | $88 | 130 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How Does Old Forester stand among Bourbon Brands
- Old Forester Bourbon is a reputable and reliable brand known for consistently delivering high-quality offerings.
- The brand stands out for its consistent quality across its lineup and is well-regarded among widely available bourbon brands.
How Was the Best Old Forester Bourbon Selected?
- The selection was based on a combination of personal preference, customer feedback, industry expert insights, and online research.
- Price and value were also key factors in ensuring the chosen bottle offers both quality and affordability.
What is the History of Old Forester Bourbon?
- Founded in 1870 by George Garvin Brown, Old Forester was one of the first to offer bourbon aged in oak casks and bottled in sealed glass bottles.
- The brand has been continuously on the market since its inception, even during Prohibition, when it was sold for medicinal purposes.
- Old Forester is unique for being continuously distilled and marketed by the founding family throughout its entire history.
Where is the Old Forester Distillery Located?
- The Old Forester Distillery is located at 119 W Main St, Louisville, KY 40202.