The single barrel craze is in full force and the Old Forester Single Barrels are some of the most sought after on the market. Old Forester decided to discontinue their 90 proof single barrels in 2020 due to the increased demand for higher proofed bourbons and started releasing a 100 proof single barrel in its place. 2020 also brought the introduction of new Old Forester single barrels at barrel strength! The hype around the barrel strength release was crazy but has died down some recently. That excitement was shifted over to the discontinued 90 proof offering and the rare 100 proof offerings.
Groups picking single barrels have the choice between barrel strength or the proofed down 100 proof version to bottle and sell. Since most picking groups choose barrel strength option, these 100 proof single barrels are even more rare than the barrel strengths.
Single barrels are very popular but Old Forester has some of the best everyday shelvers on the market. Old Forester 1910 (caramel and marshmallow) and Old Forester 1920 (chocolate and cherries) are some of the best tasting, readily available bourbons on the market. Will this Old Forester single barrel beat out these two standard offerings always on the shelf at a similar price?
What Mashbill Does Old Forester Use?
The Old Forester mashbill contains 72% corn, 18% rye and 10% malted barley. They use this mashbill for all of their different Old Forester offerings. I drink a lot of high rye bourbons so I expect this to be fairly sweet on my palate. The yeast strain used by Old Forester is also known for its fruit forward notes (banana especially) so I am very excited to dive into this bottle.
Old Forester Single Barrel Stats
According to Old Forester, the barrels for the 100 proof single barrel picks normally yield around 200 bottles. This pick was made by Cox’s and Evergreen Liquors in Louisville, KY. Cox’s normally take different store managers on their picks so it’s a toss up on the flavor profile they will be striving for.
This bottle was aged in warehouse G on floor 3. All of the Old Forester warehouses are 8 floors tall, so this barrel is from a lower floor. I look for lower level barrels in proof downed single barrels because they probably had less water added to reach the desired proof point. Barrel strength options I try to find barrels aged higher in the warehouse for higher proofs and barrels aged lower in the warehouse for lower proofs.
I paid around $55-$60 for a 750 mL bottle. Poured neat in a glencairn and let rest for ~15 minutes.
Old Forester Single Barrel 100 Proof
I poured neat in a glencairn and let set for around 10 minutes. If you would like to support the site and buy a pair on glencairns, follow the hyperlink!
Color – Tawny. Much darker than I expected considering these are normally on the younger side (4.5-5 years). These bottles are non-aged stated, however that is the age statement that has been floated around on these picks. The heat cycle warehouses I’m sure help contribute to the darker than expected color.
Aroma – My first approach to the glen I get hit with with the classic Brown-Forman banana, almost a little overripe and sweet. I wish there was more caramel barrel influence to match with the banana; that combo is one of my favorites! There is a hint of caramel and nuttiness (peanut) once the banana fades. On my second approach I do get a little barrel influence with slight hints of vanilla. Basic notes and this is fairly one dimensional, mainly the banana with some barrel influence. Very little alcohol on the nose at all which is nice considering it is lower on the age spectrum. Again possibly contribute this to the heat cycled warehouses.
Taste – The entire palate lights up with flavor on my first pull. It drinks hotter than 100 proof as I get more alcohol than expected but it is not overwhelming. For a 100 proof bourbon the mouthfeel is average with a medium viscosity that is enjoyable. The flavors are very straightforward, corn sweetness with hints of banana and alcohol. This isn’t complex or layered at all. If you enjoy corn and banana flavor this is the pour for you, but sadly this leaves me wanting more. The nose was much more impressive than the flavors on the palate. It tastes young. I’ve had harsh young pours and this isn’t one of them as this is quite pleasant for a younger bourbon. Some young bourbons are straight ethanol and not enjoyable neat, on ice or mixed. This is fine neat and not off-putting. The corn is a nice flavor that feels like it just needs a little more time in the barrel to flourish. The heat cycled warehouses do a great job making a 4 year old bourbon taste like a 5-6 year old bourbon. I just wish they would age these 6-7 years to let the flavors develop a bit more and let the corniness fade and develop.
Finish – The finish is delayed and nothing special. It gives a slight warmth but it quickly dissipates. This is fairly common for a 100 proof bourbon but I would have preferred more flavor lingering on the palate.
Rating – 6.4/10
Thoughts – I think Old Forester has a great line up of bottles and has excellent distillate. Their 90 proof and 100 proof single barrels are very solid and the Whiskey Row Series is always on the shelf, reliable and delicious. I also think the heat cycled warehouses work and speed up the bourbon aging process. That being said, Old Forester needs to age their products longer.
Old Forester Birthday Bourbon, Presidents Choice and Brown Forman’s King of Kentucky are a different level. These highly aged bourbons are excellent and if Old Forester wants to compete with the cult status of Buffalo Trace products, I think a couple of extra years in their heat cycled warehouses could do the trick.
I will say I prefer the lower proof single barrels to their barrel strength counterpart. I’ve tasted many different Old Forester barrel strength single barrels and the 90 and 100 proof versions are much more approachable, drinkable and the notes are easier to pick out when the alcohol isn’t as overwhelming. The barrel strength offering is too young and the alcohol is too prominent for me.
I enjoyed this pour but would prefer Russel Reserve 10 year, Four Roses 100 Proof Single Barrel, Buffalo Trace, or Eagle Rare. Some of those options are much easier to obtain than Old Forester single barrels as well.
When comparing this bottle to Old Forester 1910 and Old Forester 1920, all three offer much very different experiences. While the single barrel is very unique and one of a kind, I would gravitate to the high quality and consistency of 1910 and 1920. I would buy an Old Forester single barrel again in a heartbeat. This particular bottle would be fine neat, on ice or mixed. It’s a cool bottle and a great option for an Old Forester product, however would be amazing with a few more years in wood.
1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out.
2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice.
3 | Bad | Multiple flaws.
4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but better exists.
5 | Good | Good, just fine.
6 | Very Good | A cut above.
7 | Great | Well above average.
8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional.
9 | Incredible | An all time favorite.
10 | Perfect | Perfect
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