Flight Review: Old Forester Single Barrel, Barrel Strength - Buster's and Corks' Store Picks

Opening Statements (Description of the Whiskies): Old Forester Single Barrel, Barrel Strength is an uncut Kentucky straight bourbon whisky distilled by the Brown-Forman Distillery and bottled by Old Forester. Old Forester was founded by a Louisville pharmaceutical salesman, George Garvin Brown, in 1870. Brown named his whisky after a civil war surgeon Dr. William Forrester. After the war, Forrester was a Louisville doctor who bought the medicinal whisky Brown sold. Brown decided to start his own whisky company to create a consistent product after noticing how much the quality of whisky could vary. At the time, whisky was medicinal and sold mostly in barrels. To ensure customers believed his whisky met the high standards he advertised, he decided to sell his product in clear glass bottles This way, consumers could actually see what they were purchasing. While Brown was not the very first to sell whisky in bottles (although the company has now trademarked the phrase "First Bottled Bourbon"), he was the first to do so successfully. Brown's process was simple: purchase finished whisky directly from the Mattingly, Mellwood, and Atherton Distilleries, batch it together for consistency, bottle it at 90 proof, and sign each bottle as a guarantee for quality. Old Forester is also one of the few American Whisky companies that spells "whisky" without an "e." Additionally, the bourbon was originally sold as "Old Forrester," but the second "r" was soon dropped after the company's founding. This was allegedly done in an effort to avoid a direct reference to Dr. Forrester, so other physicians would not be reluctant to prescribe a whisky named after a competitor. In 1901, Brown purchased the Mattingly Distillery and began to produce his whisky inhouse. The rest, as they say, is history. Old Forester has grown to become one of the most widely recognized bourbons in the world. This Single Barrel, Barrel Proof Bourbon expression of Old Forester is sold exclusively as single barrel picks. Hence, this is not a regulary and widely available product. It has to bought by the barrel directly from the distillery, usually by a liquor store or an organization, and no two barrels are exactly alike. The 2 bottlings being reviewed here are from barrels selected by Buster's Liquors and Wines and Corks on Farmington Road (AKA Corks Farmington). Both these stores are located in Memphis, TN and are known to make great barrel selections. Parent Company: Brown-Forman Distillery: Brown-Forman Distillery Bottling Company: Old Forester Mash Bill: 72% Corn, 18% Rye, and 10% Malted Barley Age: Unknown Buster's Barrel Proof: 125.5 Corks' Barrel Proof: 125.1

Direct Examinations (AKA Tasting Notes): Buster's Barrel: Nose: Creamy Milk Chocolate, Dried Cherries, Vanilla, Oak, and Strong Ethanol Palate: Brown Sugar, Milk Chocolate, Creamy Caramel, Oak, and Powerful Pepper Finish: Black Tea, Non-Bitter Charred Oak, Dark Chocolate, Caramel, and More Powerful Pepper Mouth Feel: Thick Length: Long Corks' Barrel: Nose: Creamy Milk Chocolate, Vanilla, Oak, Caramel, Baking Spices, and Light to Medium Ethanol Palate: Creamy Caramel, Brown Sugar, Dried Cherries, Non-Bitter Oak, and Strong Black Pepper Finish: Non-Bitter Oak, Dark Chocolate, Caramel, Vanilla, Brown Sugar, and Lingering strong Black Pepper Mouth Feel: Thick Length: Long Cross Examinations (AKA The Whiskys' Shortcomings): Buster's Barrel: The only thing really holding this back is how hot the palate and finish are. The ethanol and pepper tend to cover up the flavors. Corks' Barrel: The burn on the finish and palate can be pretty intense, but it is not overwhelming. Closing Arguments (AKA Conclusions about the Whiskies): Old Forester has striven to deliver quality products on a consistent basis, and these two whiskies are a testament to that goal. Both have great flavors and deliver a delectable experience. However, both pack a substantial punch with their high proofs. The Cork's Barrel has heat, but it is very manageable and does not overshadow the notes of the bourbon. The Buster's Barrel, while only being 0.4 higher in proof (less than a quarter of a percent ABV), smacks like it is closer to 140 proof. The the flavors are delicious, but they are hidden behind a potent wall of firery ethanol. However, if a drinker can make it past this inferno, they will be rewarded with a well balanced flavor profile that competes with the best whiskies on the market. The Buster's Barrel cost about $90, while the Corks' Barrel was $110. Both are a bit overpriced, but I would still begrudgingly pay for the Corks' Barrel again. However, I cannot say the same for the Buster's Barrel because the heat is just too overpowering. Even after letting it breathe for several weeks, which did help it cool down a little, the ethanol still overshadowed the positive aspects of the bourbon. Regardless of price, both are delicious whiskies if you can handle high proof bourbon.

Verdicts (AKA Scores): Buster's Barrel: 7.25 Corks' Barrel: 8 Verdict Key: 10: I do not posses the vocabulary to adequately or accurately describe this masterpiece. It should not be be possible for man to create such art. 9: Incredible. Hoard this stuff. Paying secondary market prices is totally worth it. 8: A real pleasure to sip. Always try to have at least one bottle and a back up on hand. 7: A solid pour. Daily drinker for sure. Try to have a bottle on hand. 6: Would not say no to a pour if offered to me, but I won't go out of my way to find it. 5: Good to mix with a coke. 4: Swing and a miss. A mixer makes it tolerable. 3: Only if I had nothing else to drink in the house. 2: Was this made in a prison toilet? 1: This is the stuff the KGB used to slowly and painfully kill prisoners. 0: An abomination of epic proportions. Should not be called whiskey.