Is the final product too over-oaked that they have to bring the proof down to get it into the sweet spot? Regarding the alcohol proof [ 1 ], 1920 is high-proof- bottled at 115 proof or 57.5% ABV. 1, versus Old Forester 1920, the victor in tasting No. Join us as we put Old Forester 1910 up against Old Forester 1920. I would imagine it would be easy to distinguish the two. 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. This is the second highest priced bottle in the Whiskey Row series. I agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. While its tempting to pay $5 more for Old Forester 1920, youd also be buying a totally different tasting product and missing out on the experience Old Forester 1910 delivers in its own right. Old Forester 1920 boasts a higher alcohol proof making it bolder, richer, and more flavorful than Old Forester 1910. Finish Charred oak leads with a clean peripheral spice. Old Forester 1920 and 1910 is the brands way to offer consumers the taste of their way through their history. Dot Dot Dot | 7pm | $169 | Details. Old Forester 1920 celebrates the Distillery history since 1920 was the year Prohibition started. An intense medley of cherry preserves, drippy caramel, dark chocolate, thickened maple syrup and seasoned oak spiciness. All rights reserved. This double barrel bourbon differs from Woodford Reserve Double Oaked because while the later uses new, toasted barrels, Old Forester 1910 relies on heavily scorched barrels. Its a satisfying finish and one that makes you realize how well this bourbon might pair with a cigar. Knob Creek Single Barrel and Old Forester 1920 are very good yet different bourbons. The flavors are less overdone by the ABV, but still suffer from the same doughiness that really detracts from the experience. Nose: Lots of layers. A somewhat bitter finish. Its not in feel like youre licking a barrel stave territory, but start to finish, its definitely an oakier bourbon than most. But its rewarding as well: Get past the oak and spice, and youll find layers of flavor to savor and enjoy. Flavors: mostly charred oak with a bit of astringency, some caramel. The first question most will ask themselves, is how does this hold up to the fantastic Old Forester 1920? These flavors dominate so much and are so sweet, that the charred oak in the background is hard to recognize. 1920 vs 1910 vs 1897 vs 1870 vs Statesmen! Stores and prices for 'Old Forester 1910 Old Fine Kentucky Straight Bourbo . Smooth, well rounded mingling of sweet oatmeal raisin cookie and milk chocolate leading into caramel corn and evolving spice. Theres also rich caramel and sweet oak. Old Forester Distilling Company at Louisville in Kentucky. The low entry proof (whiskey can be barreled at up to 125 proof) means the liquid can absorb more of the woods sugars, creating a sweeter, richer final product. New vs. Old Label! The chart can't fully capture it all, but this direct comparison shows that Knob Creek Single Barrel is the superior bourbon for me. But such fine dining in the decade between 1910 and 1919 was the exception rather than the rule . Old Forester 1920 Details Distillery: Old Forester (owned by Brown Forman) Type & Region: Bourbon, Kentucky, USA Alcohol: 57.5% Composition: 72% Corn, 18% Rye, 10% Malted Barley Aged: Unknown, aged in virgin American white oak Color: 1.2/2.0 on the color scale (chestnut, oloroso sherry) Price: $60 MSRP (750mL) From the Old Forester website: On October 22nd, 1910 the Old Forester Bottling line came to a halt as the result of a fire. Users have rated this product 4.5 out of 5 stars. The second barrel is charred nearly to the point of incineration.. 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. Most people here seem to love the 1920. 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. Only a semi-blind taste test could reveal that, so lets dive in and take a look. These are two different animals so let's talk about how they compare and which one you shou. An Old Forester blind-tasting showdown: 1910 vs 1920 vs two blends. Its subtle yet easy to appreciate and foreshadows the rest of the sip. Its very similar toKnob Creek Single Barrel: high proof, rich, and hot. The Old Forester 1910 uses a blue tag on top of the bottle that features the signature of George Gavin Brown, founder of the brand, and its alcohol proof. The $5 difference between the two bourbons is justifiable because Old Forester 1920 is bolder, richer, and boasts a higher alcohol content. We talk about bourbon, rye, or any American whiskey here (yes, even Jack). Kudos should be given to Brown-Forman for making the entire series affordable for most.In comparison to the aforementioned Woodford Double Oaked, the $10 price premium feels justified for the elevated product youre getting. 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. I absolutely recognize that many absolutely love this bourbon given the ABV, price, and enjoyment they receive, but this isnt doing it for me. OF 1920 is hot for the proof and a bit dry, and layered - it needs time and air in the glass. There is a beautiful spice dominating the back end of my pilot. Old Forester is known as the first bottled bourbon, and two of the expressions from their Row Series have gathered so much attention for being great-tasting whiskeys. 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. I decided to pit the venerated 1910 and 1920 against each other and against two different blends. Why is this? Follow along all month long as we will be trying a new whiskey everyday leading up to Christmas! On October 22nd. 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. Finish: The smoky character is hard to describe, as its more subtle than a distillate that contains actual smoked grains. It was that sought after. It is the only bourbon continuously sold by the same company that has been available for sale before, during and after Prohibition. Right after I swallow, desserty peanut butter and cocoa appear. Nose: cherries, baking spices, crme brle. For 13 years, the production, transport and sale of alcohol was strictly prohibited. Old Forester was one of the six distilleries to hold a medicinal whiskey permit during prohibition. Taste Smooth, well rounded mingling of sweet oatmeal raisin cookie and milk chocolate leading into caramel corn and evolving spice. Nose: cherries, melted toffee, vanilla, milk chocolate, toasted oak. In October 1910, a fire caused the bottling line to be shut down for an indefinite period of time. Finish: Very sweet oak and barrel char. I dont think its the proof thats turning me off it. 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. Theres also cinnamon spice, grenadine syrup, cacao nibs and a hint of banana Laffy Taffy. Harsh and medicinal. The dominant aroma is dry oak, but after a few more sniffs, creamy vanilla, baking spices, and notes of freshly baked, slightly burnt bread are apparent. Of note is that I hadnt tried either the 10 or 20 for a while and my palate has probably changed some. Palate: A sublime taste of sweet oak and freshly baked molasses cookies transfers over from the nose. Theres no real bitterness going on here, just a lot of sweetness. The Old Forester 1910 is cheaper than the Old Forester 1920. Huh, I really like 1920, but I like higher proof bourbons. I find Double Oaked to be a very enjoyable product, but Old Forester 1910 seems to deliver an enhanced sip in most areas. I saw the glasses and thought wow that's a novel idea. is supposed to emulate what they made during prohibition. The sugars from the char are really evident. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The alcohol constantly reminds me that its there, but its not terribly hot. The Whiskey Row series includes the 1870 Original Batch, 1897 Bottled in Bond, and 1910 Old Fine Whisky (double barreled like Woodford Reserve Double Oaked). The last expression in the Whiskey Row series delivers a uniquely satisfying experience that stands out among both its siblings and other double barreled expressions at large. Please Like and Subscribe to catch all of the upcoming videos! Different palates, I guess! Old Forester Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky, 43-57.5% Alc./Vol., Old Forester Mint Julep Cocktail, 30% Alc./Vol. Pros. By bringing another era of Old Forester history back to life, it adds another dimension to the storied bourbon . Lydia can whip up a mean Margarita in seconds! 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. BrMate NOSR, Double-Wall Stainless Steel Whiskey Nosing Glass 7oz (Matte Black). 1910 Old Fine Whiskey is the fourth and final expression of the Whiskey Row Series, presented at 93 proof. The Old Forester 1920 is a crowd favorite, and while it shares a similar mash bill as 1910, it has a distinct tasting profile. 2023 Brown-Forman Distillers. However dont let that fool you. It was saved as the last expression in the Whiskey Row series and it came after the highly adored Old Forester 1920. The scents ebb and flow between sugar, orange, apple, cinnamon, mint, vanilla, and cocoa that sometimes give me baked apples with a spritz of orange and lemon, peppermint patties, or pecan pie. followed by a long finish of toasted oak and baking spices, B = 1910 > D = 1912 > A = 1913 > C = 1920. Critics have scored this product 88 points. 1910 is very similar in look to the 1920 bottle released . The brand recipe combines the signature mash bill and a 1B proprietary yeast strain with roughly 20% sour mash. Old Forester Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky, 43-57.5% Alc./Vol., Old Forester Mint Julep Cocktail, 30% Alc./Vol. Many times, the back of an old photograph will have the name of the photographer or the name of the studio on the back of it. Its not incredibly deep in terms of flavor range, however its extremely enjoyable. 1910, a fire on the bottling line halted production of Old Forester. Fifteen hundred and thirty-five souls perished that night, but at least some of them were well fed. The Liquor Laboratory is intended for adults over the age of 21 and the legal drinking age. Color: in the glimmer of our camp fire I pick up glimmers of golden brown and orange, much like the fire of 1910 leading to the original re-barreling of OF bourbon into a heavily charred barrels that this production mimics. Old Forester Distilling Company at Louisville in Kentucky. These flavors linger for an unusually long time. 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. 2023 Brown-Forman Distillers. 1920 Prohibition Style is our toast to the innovative and enduring spirit of Old Forester. Is Old Forester 1920 Bourbon STILL The Best Value In Whiskey? 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:. Fans of more mellow bourbons may find the heavy oak and char notes of 1910 off-putting or overly challenging. AMERICAS FIRST BOTTLED BOURBON is a trademark. 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. We thank them for allowing us to review it with no strings attached. Lengthy chewing leaves more savory sugars, mint, and wood with a little nuttiness, cinnamon, and cocoa. What really surprised me though was how great I found the 1910. A light layer of rich oak rounds it out. Old Forester 1910 Old Fine Whisky is a woody and spicy double-barreled bourbon. Lesson learned for me at least (and maybe youll follow it too), if youre looking for a bourbon and havent had either, try Knob Creek Single Barrel first. Full transparency, this is an affiliate link, so I may earn a commission if you buy this or something else from Amazon. The second is a 4:1, which I call the 1912. Old Forester Statesman and 1920 contain the same mash bill: 72% corn, 18% rye, and 10% malted barley. That whiskey tastes like pure oaky cherry NyQuil. You must be 21 or over to enter this website. Rare Breed also stood up slightly better to adding a couple of drops of water, which sealed the victory. A fun fact: Old Forester is one of the oldest bourbon distilleries in the US, having existed before and through prohibition. 1 | Disgusting | Drain pour (Example: Jeffers Creek), 3 | Bad | Flawed (AD Laws 4 Grain BiB, Clyde Mays anything), 4 | Sub-par | Many things Id rather have (Tincup 10 year), 5 | Good | Good, solid, ordinary (Larceny, Sazerac Rye), 6 | Very Good | Better than average (Buffalo Trace, OGD BiB), 7 | Great | Well above average (Old Ezra Barrel Proof, Old Weller Antique), 8 | Excellent | Exceptional (Michters Barrel Proof Rye, Four Roses Barrel Strength), 9 | Incredible | Extraordinary (GTS, 13 Year MGP or Canadian Rye), 10 | Insurpassable | Nothing Else Comes Close (William Larue Weller), Posted on Published: January 29, 2020- Last updated: June 23, 2021, Michters Toasted Barrel Finish Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Review, Old Forester Rye Whiskey vs. Rittenhouse Rye Whiskey. So if you want high-ABV Old Forester, this is really your main option. For some, this release may find the extreme char may be too much. I found the nose continued to become more and more enjoyable as I let the pour sit in the glass. After blind tasting, we find Old Forester 1920 better, bolder, flavorful, and richer than 1910. There are no loser's here.. 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. Learn more about Old Forester Barrel Proof Single Barrel, Find out who wins between Knob Creek Single Barrel and Old Forester 1920. The first blend is a 2:1 of the 1910 to 1920, which I call the 1913. Yeah, it's not my jam either. Age: NAS. I decided to pit the venerated 1910 and 1920 against each other and against two different blends. I find it has a similar profile as the OF's and WRDO. Results? Old Forester 1920 mimics the quality of Prohibition-style whiskey. Old Forester 1910 delivers a nice, thick and chewy mouthfeel. Bourbon Tournament entry! That is showing a lot of action on the palate., Old Forester 1920 palate: Completely different approach. It was Rare Breed, the winner from tasting No. Old Forester Distilling Company at Louisville in Kentucky. While they have their fair share of similarities on mash bills, ownership, and distillery, the two bourbons are more different than similar, especially on their tasting notes. The 115 proof expression represents a barrel sample that company president Owsley Brown I would have batched at the beginning of Prohibition.. Finish Hitting just a little bit of spice but it's really concentrated. Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style is part of Old Foresters Whiskey Row series, focused on historic expressions from the brands history. Anything above MSRP would be pricing this too high, but at this price, youre able to still enjoy a rich, albeit oaky, bourbon for under $60. FAQs It was so different from standard Old Forester that a special label and name were created for it: Old Fine Whisky [sic].. K.O.E. But the two whiskeys arent identical;1910 is re-casked in a much more heavily charred barrel, which gives it a more pronounced dry spiciness. Heres the head-to-head battle of Old Forester 1920 vs 1910 to help you out. It's an absolute steal. 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. 2. Hidden deep beneath are dark berries along with toasted marshmallows. This is one bourbon that youll want to take your time with when drinking. Taste Dark caramel coats layers of malt nuttiness and sweet graham cracker all warmed by green peppercorn and coriander spice brightened with a hint of cedar. Get our best cocktail recipes, tips, and more when you sign up for our newsletter. The Whiskey Row series is intended for sipping, and this is no exception. 93 Proof. I've seen others write good reviews for 1920. 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. 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. I agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Its amazing how viscous the mouthfeel is. 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. All other trademarks and trade names are properties of their respective owners. Palate: Quite a lot of oak and char, with black pepper spice throughout. 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