Review - Old Forester 86 proof


Distillery: Old Forester
Owner: Brown Forman
Proof/ABV: 86°/43%
Variety: Bourbon
Country: USA
Region: Kentucky


Nose: Sweet and spicy with hints of corn and honey lemon creating an interesting layer. It has enough spice to awaken your senses telling your palate to be ready for something nice. 
Nose Score: 3.5 pts

Palate: Medium bodied. Flavors of light spices up front followed by notes of caramel and lime. A slight nutty note makes itself present at the back palate. 
Palate Score: 3 pts

Finish: Short but layered with baking spices,  candied orange and vanilla. The heat stays at the end with a short sourness and bitterness.
Finish Score: 3 pts

Overall: This is a great entry Bourbon at a great price. It is under $40 (CAD) and there is plenty of it in stock. It can be taken neat easily. The nose was my favorite part about this bourbon while the finish was it's weakest. The finish was too short with very little complexity. The palate could also use some more body as well. 

With some ice, the flavor dissipates a little leaving your palate feeling thin. It is also a great bourbon for an Old Fashioned cocktail with it's candied orange notes. 
Overall Score: 3 pts

Total Score: 12.5 pts

Rating: Buy and share. This is a good Bourbon to have at home and offer to friends who would like to get into drinking Bourbon. It has a very approachable nose and palate that expresses the standard Bourbon profile with pride. 


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