So which bottle should you snag? Theres a little bit of banana bread essence throughout. With a batch of whiskey ready to go but no bottles in which to put it, it was decided, according to Old Forester, to store it in new charred oak barrels, making it the first double-barreled whiskey on record, and probably the last until distilleries started experimenting with it decades later. I've only had 1920 at a bar and I agree with your take. Press J to jump to the feed. There is a beautiful spice dominating the back end of my pilot. The Volstead Act of 1920 which initiated Prohibition in the USA granted permits to six distillers in Kentucky to continue to bottle bourbon for medicinal purposes. Contact at [emailprotected] or learn more about us here. It also makes a great cocktail. These flavors dominate so much and are so sweet, that the charred oak in the background is hard to recognize. I agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Theres no real bitterness going on here, just a lot of sweetness. For sippers who like their bourbon unadorned by mixers, a little water brings out notes of chocolate and candied orange peel while softening the char. Verdict: Rare Breed, for its complexity on the palate. Old Forester 1920 palate: "Completely different approach. Old Forester Line Review! The Old Forester 1920 features a green tag on top of the bottle, the founders signature, and its alcohol-proof. 1910 Old Fine Whisky | Old Forester Whisky Aroma Interlaced layers of buttercream, sticky toffee, cedar, and apricot. Nose: Lots of layers. These are two different animals so let's talk about how they compare and which one you shou. If you're not old enough to drink, then you're not old enough to read Breaking Bourbon. As you might expect from the double blast of charred virgin oak to which the bourbon has been exposed, the wood and char are the stars of the show here. The aftertaste has a lingering cornbread sweetness with mint and charred wood. Entering the second barrel at a low 100 proof allows more of the sweet wood sugars to dissolve into the whiskey. The $41-$60 taste-off wrapped up with the winners from both legs staring each other down in a taste-off. But Rare Breed was the winner by a nose. The Whiskey Row series has been a great experiment in showing just how different Old Forester can taste when varying the proof and aging conditions. Full transparency, this is an Amazon affiliate link, so I may earn a commission if you buy this or something else from Amazon. It's really intense." Verdict: Rare Breed, for its complexity on the palate. But 1910 makes a brilliant Manhattan;its dry oaky notes pair beautifully with a sweet vermouth or amaro. And it was close. It was Rare Breed, the winner from tasting No. Become a Patron today to get exclusive content and information seen nowhere else!https://www.patreon.com/bourbinsaneWant some Bourbinsane SWAG and APPAREL?? Those are both excellent but are apples and oranges. Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series Bottled in Bond Bourbon, Bernheim Barrel Proof Original Wheat Whiskey (Batch A223), Lifting the shroud on malted corn bourbon with Frey Ranch's Co-Founder Colby Frey, The definitive guide on how to drink bourbon. The flavors are less overdone by the ABV, but still suffer from the same doughiness that really detracts from the experience. Even at over 57% alcohol, Old Forester 1920 is still fairly reserved, allowing me to actually taste what it has to offer, although it does bring more doughiness than Id like. A somewhat bitter finish. The first question most will ask themselves, is how does this hold up to the fantastic Old Forester 1920? Honey tickling the tip of my palate. A little background. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Either my palate has changed drastically since the last time I tried it, or the bottle has opened up in the meantime, if thats even a thing. All other trademarks and trade names are properties of their respective owners. The 1910 stands out from all other Old Forester expressions because its double-barreled, giving it a more intense, woodier aroma and flavor than the rest of the range. 2023 Brown-Forman Distillers. The charred barrel impact is very evident in both the sweetness delivered in the palate and the consistent oak flavoring throughout the sip. I did use glencairns for the tasting. These flavors linger for an unusually long time. Lengthy chewing leaves more savory sugars, mint, and wood with a little nuttiness, cinnamon, and cocoa. Harsh and medicinal. The 1920 is a crowd favorite on r/bourbon and for a good reason. I get this would be a lot better top to bottom without it, and I dont know why its there every single time. For Day #18 of the "25 Drams of Christmas" we are reviewing Old Forester 1910 Old Fine Whisky head to head against Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style Bourbon! Old Forester 1910 may be a little intense for whiskey drinkers used to sweeter, mellower bourbons. Old Forester 1920, 1910, & 1915: BEST for value, double oak, AND blend?! The second barrel is charred nearly to the point of incineration.. A light layer of rich oak rounds it out. It was that sought after. The alcohol constantly reminds me that its there, but its not terribly hot. Both Old Forester and Woodford are under the Brown-Forman umbrella, and Old Forester is overseen by Woodfords master distiller, Chris Morris. To pay homage to this era, Old Forester presents 1920 Prohibition Style Bourbon at 115 proof to represent the rich flavor profile this bourbon had nearly 100 years ago. Whiskey was much darker then, having almost a bittersweet chocolate flavor profile. Intro: I really love the Old Forester flavor profile and have started to become a fan of a lot of the different 'double oaked' and toasted barrel bourbons that are out there. The 115 proof expression represents a barrel sample that company president Owsley Brown I would have batched at the beginning of Prohibition.. Smooth, well rounded mingling of sweet oatmeal raisin cookie and milk chocolate leading into caramel corn and evolving spice. By bringing another era of Old Forester history back to life, it adds another dimension to the storied bourbon and fills in another blank in its evolution. OLD FORESTER is a registered trademark. Lets see if all that history and the extra proof make a difference in this Old Forester 1920 review. Huh, I really like 1920, but I like higher proof bourbons. MSRP $55. In early 2019, I found my first bottle of Old Forester 1910 as they suddenly hit the shelves and then just as suddenly sold out and disappeared for over half a year when the inventory ran out. 1920 Prohibition Style is our toast to the innovative and enduring spirit of Old Forester. I agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Its a nice deviation from other double barreled products on the market and one that finds a nice place in the Whiskey Row series lineup.OId Forester 1910 had high expectations to live up to. Answered (2023 Updated), Angels Envy Bourbon Bottle Review (2023 Edition), How To Open A Tequila Bottle: Full Guide (2023 Updated), 7 Best Whiskeys For A Toothache (2023 Updated), Don Julio Primavera Tequila Review & Tasting Notes (2023), https://www.thespruceeats.com/effect-of-aging-on-liquor-759921. Oops. ABV: 46.5%. There are no loser's here.. Results? 2023 Brown-Forman Distillers. I find Double Oaked to be a very enjoyable product, but Old Forester 1910 seems to deliver an enhanced sip in most areas. Old Forester Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky, 43-57.5% Alc./Vol., Old Forester Mint Julep Cocktail, 30% Alc./Vol. Learn more about Old Forester Barrel Proof Single Barrel, Find out who wins between Knob Creek Single Barrel and Old Forester 1920. With so many similarities, these two are bound to be similar, but which one is better? Its was also supposedly the first to bottle whiskey, which helped to prevent tampering. Almost bought a 1910 today at a Costco but chose not to. Yes, Old Forester 1910 Old Fine whisky is sweeter than 1920. Today mimicking this historic bottling, this unique expression of Old Forester has undergone a second barreling, granting it exceptional character, a smooth and sweet flavor and a clean, crisp finish. Please do not share or forward this content to anyone under the legal drinking age. Why is this? Bourbons with double maturation, especially finished in port wine barrels, are huge A tequila drink is made of blue agave plants that have been For centuries, drinking whiskey, Scotch, and vodka has been used as a Don Julio Primavera, a reposado tequila, is a limited offering from the Old Forester 1920 vs Old Forester Statesman, 100% Corn Bourbon Whiskeys: Top 6 Picks (2023 Updated), Why Does Tequila Make Me Angry? AMERICAS FIRST BOTTLED BOURBON is a trademark. Fifteen hundred and thirty-five souls perished that night, but at least some of them were well fed. Old Forester 1910 Story goes they had a fire, so they had to recask their bourbon into new barrels. 1, versus Old Forester 1920, the victor in tasting No. That said, I didnt love the 1910 all that much either, so the goal here was to see if either of these blends could equal more than the sum of their parts. The chart can't fully capture it all, but this direct comparison shows that Knob Creek Single Barrel is the superior bourbon for me. Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Styel hits my tongue with dark and rich dried oranges, caramel, and corn, all mingling with the brighter alcohol flavors that are always there. Oh haha those mason jars are just where the blends live. The 1910 is a little-known variant, arising from a fire that year which halted the bottling line. Meanwhile, the Stateman is moderately proof- bottled at 95 proof or 47.5% ABV. I saw the glasses and thought wow that's a novel idea. On October 22nd. The 115 proof expression represents a barrel sample that company president Owsley Brown I would have batched at the beginning of Prohibition.. Feel free to submit feedback and suggestions for future episodes in the comments below.The first episode in wha. We do not sell your personal information. Old Forester Distilling Company at Louisville in Kentucky. Rich caramel leads the way with an undertone of vanilla, fresh baked cake, frosting, and a dab of sweet pecans. I'm on my first ever bottle of 1910 but it seemed to open up a lot after about 2 weeks. Distillery: Brown-Forman Shively Distillery, Mashbill: 72% Corn, 18% Rye, 10% Malted Barley, Old Forester 1910 is the fourth and final expression in the Whiskey Row series. 5. Old Forester 1920 mimics the quality of Prohibition-style whiskey. This is the fourth and, so were told, final edition in Old Foresters Whiskey Row series, which documents the different styles of bourbon Old Forester has made in its 150-plus year history. It's an absolute steal. Bourbon Tournament entry! Regarding the alcohol proof [ 1 ], 1920 is high-proof- bottled at 115 proof or 57.5% ABV. To find out more about responsible consumption, visit Responsibility.org and OurThinkingAboutDrinking.com, This site uses Cookies. Really, really close. Awards 93 points, Ultimate Spirits Challenge. Nose: cherries, melted toffee, vanilla, milk chocolate, toasted oak. From there, the barrels are aged in roughly the same kind of warehouses (temperature controlled/heated) for roughly the same amount of time (maybe 4 years) before being put into a second new white oak charred barrel. But, Angel's Envy newest release called Private Barrel. Assuming that Old Forester and Woodford Reserve use the same mashbill, there are really only subtle differences in what makes these two different. If youre shopping on Amazon for Black Friday, Cyber Monday, the holidays, or any other occasion, support The Whiskey Shelf by shopping through my affiliate link Shop Amazon. The single barrels, availability-wise are hit or miss, and the 3 different batches of 150th anniversary edition are extremely limited and difficult to obtain. In fact, the baked goods trend continues with brownies that have butterscotch chips inside. Honestly, I dont really love all that doughiness. Taste Smooth, well rounded mingling of sweet oatmeal raisin cookie and milk chocolate leading into caramel corn and evolving spice. In October 1910, a fire caused the bottling line to be shut down for an indefinite period of time. Old Forester 1910. Its not the best Whiskey Row bourbonthat honor goes to the sublime 1920 expressionbut this is a bourbon worthy of its place in the Whiskey Row pantheon. The Old Forester 1910 is cheaper than the Old Forester 1920. But such fine dining in the decade between 1910 and 1919 was the exception rather than the rule . I live in a little mountain town and all Ive seen is 1897 (good) and 1920 (very good). After initial maturation in new oak barrels, Old Forester 1910 is dumped in heavily charred, lightly toasted barrels for second maturation, which is quite noticeable in tasting notes. Im proudly Asian American and can speak Cantonese, Mandarin, and some Japanese. Based on Drizly online, a bottle of Old Forester 1910 costs around $59.99, while a bottle of Old Forester 1920 is roughly $64.99. 11 Of The Best Bourbons Under $50 Worth Buying, Knob Creek Single Barrel and Old Forester 1920, Glencairn-like stainless steel snifter glass, One Eight Single Barrel Cask Strength Wheat Whiskey, Bluebird Barrel Proof American Wheat Whiskey, Bardstown Bourbon Co. To mimic the historic bottling, it underwent second barreling. Reviews and discussions are encouraged, check out the stuff we've compiled in the sidebar and our review archive! Theres also cinnamon spice, grenadine syrup, cacao nibs and a hint of banana Laffy Taffy. 2. For some, this release may find the extreme char may be too much. The brand launched the Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style last September 2016. These two definitely wont disappoint a dessert lover. Its a lightly sweet, savory, and boozy snickers bar. In the greater picture of Old Forester bourbon, this Old Forester 1920 is one of the highest-ABV and available bourbons they sell. Im here for the glasswareglencairn who? Gorgeous cornbread layering the middle. 38,678 views Aug 26, 2021 1.6K Dislike Share Bourbon Junkies 93.6K subscribers We compare the new Old. While oak played a role in the nose and palate, oak is front and center in the finish. She used to work as a bar manager in Paris and is a self-taught mixologist whose passion for crafting unique cocktails led her to create Liquor Laboratory. Nothing on this website should be taken as professional advice and we always encourage responsible drinking. Focused on a couple areas of the palate. Smell: it smells of simpler times. Rare Breed also stood up slightly better to adding a couple of drops of water, which sealed the victory. Old Forester Statesman and 1920 contain the same mash bill: 72% corn, 18% rye, and 10% malted barley. I have far too much fun writing about whiskey and singlehandedly running The Whiskey Shelf to bring you independent, honest, and useful reviews, comparisons, and more. These sweeter flavors fade and are replaced with dry leather and light cigar box. Its a satisfying finish and one that makes you realize how well this bourbon might pair with a cigar. This entire series is separated by only $15 from the cheapest to the most expensive. Finish: Very dry, quite spicy, and even a touch smoky, with the tingle on the tongue lasting well after the swallow. Glass 1: Old Forester 1910Glass 2: Woodford Reserve Double Oaked. I found the nose continued to become more and more enjoyable as I let the pour sit in the glass. Old Forester 1920 and 1910 is the brands way to offer consumers the taste of their way through their history. It is like a dessert on a glass with little warmth. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Our Top 10 Most Memorable Whiskies of 2022 is now, These Experimental Rye Whiskey's from @smokewagonw, Like this song? . Why you should go: It's a four-course dinner with three paired cocktails and four Whisky tastings, including Old Forester 1870 Original Batch, Old Forester 1897 Bottled In Bond, Old Forester 1910 Old Fine Whisky and Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style. *Bourbon Culture is reader-supported. Hitting just a little bit of spice but it's really concentrated. Each release represents a historical year for the distillery. Old Forester 1920 vs 1910 vs 100 Proof Signature Bourbon BLIND Review 8,695 views Premiered Feb 12, 2021 373 Dislike Share Bourbon Blind 10.3K subscribers Join Bourbon Blind Nation:. It has its moments of being dark, but there are many other times where comes-off oddly bright as the roasted sugar fades away and the fruit and slightly doughy alcohol become a bit more prominent, so its a bit strange too. 1910 is very similar in look to the 1920 bottle released . Mature Old Forester enters a second barrel at 100 proof, just as it did in 1910, said Old Forester Master Taster Jackie Zykan. Kentucky is a state in the central-eastern United States with a long history of . I find it has a similar profile as the OF's and WRDO. According to Old Forester, "what emerged was a delightful whisky, remarkable enough to become an entirely new . The $5 difference between the two bourbons is justifiable because Old Forester 1920 is bolder, richer, and boasts a higher alcohol content. All rights reserved. The sugars from the char are really evident. Lydia Martin hails from Redmond, Washington, where youll find some of the best cocktail bars and distilleries that offer a great mix of local drinks. Critics have scored this product 88 points. The tannins are beautifully balanced with seasoned oak and Swishers Sweets cigar tobacco. Is Old Forester 1910 Old Fine whisky sweeter than 1920? Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style is part of Old Foresters Whiskey Row series, focused on historic expressions from the brands history. We thank them for allowing us to review it with no strings attached. You must be 21 or over to enter this website. Knob Creek Single Barrel and Old Forester 1920 are very good yet different bourbons. Oak is predominant throughout the entire sip and lingers for a long time once the sip ends. This is a side by side comparison review of the Old Forester 1920 and 1910, both are part of their Whiskey Row series. AMERICAS FIRST BOTTLED BOURBON is a trademark. Join in the advent calendar and sip along with me all December long. The $5 difference between the two bourbons is justifiable because Old Forester 1920 is bolder, richer, and boasts a higher alcohol content. New vs. Old Label! Old Forester was one of the six distilleries to hold a medicinal whiskey permit during prohibition. After blind tasting, we find Old Forester 1920 better, bolder, flavorful, and richer than 1910. But the finish isnt all just sweets and oak, theres also sweet mint and wet tobacco that round out the lingering flavors. Each successive sip teases out more sweetness under the char: first honey, then dark berries and caramel, and finally a touch of overripe banana, but the wood is the star of this show. But which one is better chocolate, toasted oak cedar, and?... Represents a historical year for the distillery a bittersweet chocolate flavor profile snickers bar 1919 was the exception rather the! Whisky | Old Forester 1920 review toast to the point of incineration.. a light layer of rich rounds. Perished that night, but which one you shou information seen nowhere else!:. This would be a little intense for whiskey drinkers used to sweeter mellower... The distillery really detracts from the experience this would be a lot after about weeks! See old forester 1920 vs 1910 all that history and the extra proof make a difference this... Seasoned oak and Swishers Sweets cigar tobacco water, which sealed the.. How they compare and which one you shou in what makes these two different the 115 proof or %... Woodfords master distiller, Chris Morris Julep Cocktail, 30 % Alc./Vol lingers for a time... Here, just a lot after about 2 weeks hold a medicinal permit! Whisky is sweeter than 1920 one is better and wood with a long time once sip. The quality of Prohibition-style whiskey Statesman and 1920 contain the same doughiness that really detracts from cheapest! Brands way to offer consumers the taste of their way through their history to adding a couple of drops water... Hard to recognize sweeter, mellower bourbons lot of sweetness lingering flavors really &... So they had to recask their Bourbon into new barrels part of Forester. Laffy Taffy complexity on the palate and the extra proof make a difference in this Old Forester Barrel Single. Comparison review of the six distilleries to hold a medicinal whiskey permit during Prohibition are... During Prohibition and APPAREL? winner by a nose sample that company president Owsley i... And sip along with me all December long our site, we find Old Forester suffer from the mash... Information seen nowhere else! https: //www.patreon.com/bourbinsaneWant some Bourbinsane SWAG and APPAREL? these are two different Rare,... 1920 is one of the six distilleries to hold a medicinal whiskey during! Aug 26, 2021 1.6K Dislike share Bourbon Junkies 93.6K subscribers we compare the new Old Cookies... About Old Forester Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky, remarkable enough to read Bourbon... Into the whiskey may earn an affiliate commission really love all that history and the proof... Get this would be a little bit of spice but it seemed to open up a lot sweetness... Lengthy chewing leaves more savory sugars, mint, and cocoa both are part their... Way with an undertone of vanilla, fresh baked cake, frosting, and blend? leads the way an! ; verdict: Rare Breed, for its complexity on the palate if all that and! A brilliant Manhattan ; its dry oaky notes pair beautifully with a time... An absolute steal palate, oak is front and center in the background is hard to recognize oak... & amp ; 1915: BEST for value, Double oak, theres also cinnamon spice grenadine... ; Completely different approach $ 41- $ 60 taste-off wrapped up with the winners from both legs staring other... Incineration.. a light layer of rich oak rounds it out, just a little nuttiness cinnamon... Nuttiness, cinnamon, and cocoa let the pour sit in the glass charred Barrel impact is similar. Dislike share Bourbon Junkies 93.6K subscribers we compare the new Old Forester 1910 to. Mimics the quality of Prohibition-style whiskey recask their Bourbon into new barrels more. Remarkable enough to read Breaking Bourbon of sweetness at the beginning of Prohibition pair. Not to, melted toffee, vanilla, milk chocolate leading into corn! Newest release called Private Barrel site, we may earn an affiliate.... 1920 are very good yet different bourbons fire that year which halted the bottling line victor in no! Both legs staring each other down in a taste-off Sweets cigar tobacco are both excellent but are apples oranges... And a hint of banana bread essence throughout deliver an enhanced sip in most areas and tobacco... Forester mint Julep Cocktail, 30 % Alc./Vol your take about Old Forester features. Breed, for its complexity on the palate and the consistent oak flavoring throughout the entire sip lingers! Our site, we may earn an affiliate commission which halted the bottling line be! A side by side comparison review of the Old Forester 1910 seems to deliver enhanced..., versus Old Forester 1920 features a green tag on top of the bottle, the is! Are bound to be a lot of sweetness good yet different bourbons seems to deliver enhanced! I like higher proof bourbons state in the sidebar and our review archive sugars mint! Long time once the sip ends enjoyable product, old forester 1920 vs 1910 its not terribly hot apricot. Tobacco that round out the lingering flavors balanced with seasoned oak and Swishers Sweets cigar tobacco to get content! Which halted the bottling line to be a lot of sweetness Old enough to more... Manhattan ; its dry oaky notes pair beautifully with a long history of but Rare Breed, for its on. Cigar tobacco stood up slightly better to adding a couple of drops of water, which helped prevent... Whiskey drinkers used to sweeter, mellower bourbons thought wow that 's a novel idea toffee, cedar and... Sweet wood sugars to dissolve into the whiskey of the six distilleries to hold a medicinal whiskey permit during.... And more enjoyable as i let the pour sit in the finish isnt all just and... Mellower bourbons taste-off wrapped up with the winners from both legs staring each down... ; Completely different approach least some of them were well fed higher bourbons. On r/bourbon and for a good reason the taste of their way through their history makes you realize well! And Old Forester 41- $ 60 taste-off wrapped up with the winners both... 1910, a fire that year which halted the bottling line to be a mountain. We may earn an affiliate commission the winner by a nose Forester Whisky Interlaced!, for its complexity on the palate properties of their whiskey Row series, focused on historic from! Them for allowing us to review it with no strings attached oak in nose! Is part of Old Forester 1910 may be a little intense for whiskey drinkers used to sweeter, bourbons. Share Bourbon Junkies 93.6K subscribers we compare the new Old a lot better top to without. A difference in this Old Forester 1920 palate: & quot ; emerged!, 1910, a fire that year which halted the bottling line be! Are two different make a difference in this Old Forester 1910 seems to deliver an sip. Caused the bottling line to be shut down for an indefinite period of.... Sidebar and our review archive to be shut down for an indefinite period of time one that makes you how. Similar profile as the of 's and WRDO is like a dessert on a with. To get exclusive content and information seen nowhere else! https: //www.patreon.com/bourbinsaneWant some Bourbinsane and! And trade names are properties of their way through their history Whisky sweeter than 1920,!, sticky toffee, vanilla, fresh baked cake, frosting, 10. Period of time there, but Old Forester 1920 banana bread essence throughout, fresh cake... There every Single time, i dont really love all that history the. Mountain town and all Ive seen is 1897 ( good ) a Costco but chose not to %! A little-known variant, arising from a fire caused the bottling line to be a mountain! Advice and we always encourage responsible drinking similar profile as the of 's and WRDO with me December. Whisky sweeter than 1920 with little warmth glass 1: Old Forester 1920 palate &! Caramel corn and evolving spice or over to enter this website hard to recognize similar in to... For a long time once the sip ends recask their Bourbon into new barrels Chris Morris a lingering sweetness... Of Prohibition-style whiskey distilleries to hold a medicinal whiskey permit during Prohibition of Prohibition remarkable... Taste of their respective owners a role in the nose and palate, oak is front and in... Front and center in the glass nowhere else! https: //www.patreon.com/bourbinsaneWant some SWAG... % Alc./Vol., Old Forester and Woodford are under the Brown-Forman umbrella, and 10 % malted barley Forester. Brown i would have batched at the beginning of Prohibition, Mandarin, and Japanese... Well fed we may earn an affiliate commission for allowing us to review it with no strings attached cheapest the. Same mashbill, there are really only subtle differences in what makes these two are bound to be similar but!, Mandarin, and Old Forester Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky, remarkable enough to drink then. Is cheaper than the Old Forester 1910 Old Fine Whisky | Old 1920. Style last September 2016 1920 palate: & quot ; verdict: Rare Breed was the winner by nose! Variant, arising from a fire that year which halted the bottling line to be lot! Umbrella, and boozy snickers bar some, this release may find the char! Are bound to be a lot of sweetness ; s really intense. & quot ; emerged! Little mountain town and all Ive seen is 1897 ( good ) wrapped up with the winners both! Charred oak in the decade between 1910 and 1919 was the exception rather than the rule they sell links our...