Old Forester 1920 Bourbon

Old Forester 1920 Bourbon shines when sipped neat or with a single large ice cube, allowing its robust flavors to unfold gradually on the palate. This high-proof whiskey also stands up beautifully in spirit-forward cocktails, making it ideal for cooler autumn evenings paired with hearty dishes like grilled meats or rich, smoky barbecue.

Nose: Rich caramel and vanilla lead, followed by toasted oak and a hint of dark cherry. Spicy notes of cinnamon and nutmeg emerge, along with a subtle smoky char. There's a slight ethanol bite, reminding you of its high proof.

Palate: Full-bodied and intense. Dark chocolate and espresso hit first, followed by waves of butterscotch and maple syrup. Rye spice builds, bringing black pepper and clove. Charred oak provides a sturdy backbone. The high alcohol content creates a warming sensation without overwhelming the flavors.

Finish: Long and satisfying. The sweetness fades, leaving lingering notes of dark fruit, particularly dried figs and raisins. Toasted pecans and leather emerge. A pleasant oak dryness and residual spice tingle on the tongue, inviting another sip.

Old Forester 1920 Bourbon is crafted using a high-rye mashbill and aged in heavily charred oak barrels. What's intriguing about its production is that it's bottled at 115 proof (57.5% ABV), mimicking the batches of Old Forester that were bottled exclusively for medicinal use during Prohibition, giving modern drinkers a taste of history.

• Old Forester 1920 Bourbon is bottled at 115 proof, which is the exact same strength that the distillery used during Prohibition when medicinal whiskey was legally produced. This potent bottling pays homage to the brand's resilience during those tumultuous times.
• Despite its name suggesting a 1920s origin, Old Forester 1920 was actually first released in 2016 as part of the distillery's "Whiskey Row" series. It's a modern recreation of the style of bourbon the company believes it would have produced during Prohibition.
• Old Forester holds the title of being the longest continuously sold bourbon brand in America, surviving Prohibition, the Great Depression, and two World Wars. The 1920 expression is a testament to this endurance, offering a taste of history that has outlasted nearly every other whiskey on the shelf.