My first ever pour of birthday bourbon comes at a unique time; the week of January 23rd as I sit down to get ready for a podcast. It isn’t my birthday or a significant day at all really, but after wrangling my toddler and walking into a mess both my dogs made, I felt the need to celebrate as if it were my birthday for not getting too upset. I want to give a special shout out to Bob Cutler for the sample and sorry it took so long to review! Let’s dive in shall we!
Just the Facts:
Proof: 96
Age: 11 Years Old
Mash Bill: Undisclosed
Style: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Jake’s Tasting Notes: Birthday Bourbon 2022
Color: Copper
Nose: The nose is very appetizing. Hints of vanilla, toasted nuts, and some graham cracker. There are waves of darker fruits, plums almost.
Palate: This is a balanced bourbon from a palate perspective. It is easy to get overly critical of hard-to-find pours, but this has balance. What I like about it is the oak tannin balanced against the plum / cherry note, they work very well together. A pop of freshness is found in the second sip. It features some orange peel with more vanilla shining through. This is a bright spot as I continue to sip.
Finish: Lingering
Closing Thoughts
Old Forester makes good bourbon, so does not surprise me that this is a solid pour. Not one bit! At retail price, I would be more than happy to enjoy a full bottle, but at today’s secondary prices, you can get way more bang for your buck. Overall, this is a very solid 11 year old Kentucky Bourbon.
Bourbon Lens Coverage of Old Forester:
- There Were Big Shoes To Fill and Old Forester Found The Right Fit
- Old Forester 1910 Extra Aged By Jackie Zykan Hits A Home Run
- 139: Kicking Off Bourbon Heritage Month with Old Forester 117 Series
- 95: Old Forester Master Taster, Jackie Zykan
- New Five Year Deal Sees Woodford Reserve Remain Kentucky Derby Sponsor
