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Old Forester is sentimental to me. On an overnight pass from Basic training in Fort Polk, I took a bus to Deritter, LA. I walked around the town. Found a local hamburger stand (not MacDonald or similar) Walked back to the four unit motel. Confused, I asked the landlady 'is this a dry town or something'? She replied something like 'yeah would you like a drink? She delivered an Old Forester pint bottle half full and 4 cans of Budweiser to my room at no charge. Next morning, she had friends take me to church and after church, to the country club for lunch. There is more to this testament of Southern Hospitality in the late 60s but it gets too far off the Old Forester theme.
I'm a converted Scotch drinker. My wife used your videos to select my Christmas presents this year, 1792 Small Batch, and Old Forester 1920, OMG! Thanks guys!
Yeah me too - scotch guy. I got a bottle of 1910 last night and was pleasantly surprised. It's pretty good and holds up against the scotches in value for money in my opinion ($54 at the Virginia ABC store).
Very weird we're not alone in converting from Scotch. Not that it's not great but bourbon has that spark the soul is after. So much more variety & if they could finish in Ex-Bourbon barrels, there would be no contest globally🤌🏼🥃Great wife right there!
So, the Old Forester Statesman comes out of the movie starring Jeff Bridges, "Kingsman: The Golden Circle". Its concerns a British Secret Service entity that saves the world and revolves around a Kentucky distillery headed by Bridges. The Old Forester 1910 is the product of what happened to that distillery in 1910 - a severe fire which began with the barrels burning. In order to save the whiskey from exploding, they transferred it into as many severely charred barres as could be salvaged. The whiskey was fabulous. So this new iteration is aged in severely charred (called an alligator char) barrels, hence the notes of burnt sugar and dark caramel. It is my favorite of all those you have just reviewed.
I am sure many followers of SBL would love to hear the real story behind Old Forester 1910, and Keslyn Howard, a tour guide at Old Forester, would be the perfect person to tell.
@@wmbenson68 I’d love to! It does involve a fire, but actually a fire on our bottling line when we were in our original 1883 distillery on Main Street Louisville. It wasn’t too detrimental but we did have a lot of bourbon that never made it into a bottle. So the big question became “what are we to do with all of this free floating bourbon?” The owner at the time (the founders son) Owsley Brown decided to put that free floating bourbon back into some brand new charred oak barrels. That way he could store them away easier and also keep the integrity of their being a bourbon. When they decided to get these barrels out about 2ish years later they didn’t really care that they were one of the first people to make a double barrel bourbon, but when Owsley tried it he was like wow this tastes like a good old mature whiskey. So they brought it to market back in 1912 as their “old fine whiskey”. We actually have an original unopened bottle of the old fine whiskey on display at our distillery now. This distillery once again resides in the same building from 1883 on Main Street! This story inspired us to make todays version of 1910, however we do treat that second barrel differently these days. We will char it (a proprietary time) about 15 seconds before disintegration starts to occur on the inside of that barrel. This allows the char to have a really great affect on the product even though it’s only sitting in that second barrel about 7-9 months! We now also have 1910 experimental bottles as well, such as 117 series 1910 extra old and 1910 extra extra old!
@@keslynhoward9998 Many thanks for that clarification. I bought the 1910 the first year it was introduced (comparing it to the three others in the “Whiskey Row series) and absolutely loved it. Compared to the 1920, which many bourbonites prefer as getting “more bang for the buck (higher proof), the 1910 isn’t in it for the bang but rather the wonderful layer upon layer of extracted flavors produced but the “alligator” char, the lush and lingering mouthfeel and protracted smoothness of the finish. A sipping bourbon at its finest which continues to reveal itself with slight oxidation. My guess is the two others mentioned in your reply, the 117 series 1910 extra old and the extra extra old on not publicly available?
There are a number of RU-vid channels that do a good job of covering bourbon, but for some reason I keep coming back to this channel. You guys seem to consistently hit the mark on reviewing the bourbons that most of us bourbon drinkers can relate to and learn from. Keep up the good work
I really like Old Forester because I can always find it at a reasonable price. 1910 & 1920 are my favorites depending on my mood. I don't want to chase unicorns and pay ridiculous prices for them. Old Forester always delivers and I can find it.
Beginner bourbon junkie and I gotta say you guys are the only bourbon channel I follow. Amazing honest reviews and you don't talk down to those of us who are new to bourbon. We all have to start somewhere.... I just bought my first bottle of OF 1920 yesterday, drove two hours to get it. I was a little hesitant about the proof on this and almost caved and went with the 1910. With everything I've tried so far I've stayed in the low 90 range. This bottle is phenomenal! I'm so glad I trusted my gut and your recommendation on this after my first viewing of the video. Thank you guys! You're a great follow and I look forward to more select distiller videos!
Thanks so much for joining us! Plz remember when your first getting started, do your research when buying. Be as educated as possible and stay away from impulse buys. Always have fun!
Old Forester and Knob Creek are my go-to budget brand bourbons. I love the strong apple/cherry notes of those two in particular, how they just start to smell better the longer they sit in the glass, and that warm Kentucky hug feeling you get as they go down. I've tried to branch out to some of the others but I notice their flavors tend more towards strong banana notes, and I prefer the cinnamon/apple notes of KC and OF.
I absolutely love 1920. It’s my barometer to measure bourbon by for me at any price. It has won every blind I’ve done that it’s been in. I’m probably crazy, but I get a little chocolate covered cherry in it, along with most other quintessential bourbon flavors.
For me here in Arizona, 1920 can't be beat, then 1910 and then the 100 I recently went to Mexico and brought a big 1.75 liter of OF 100 , it was the juice everyone loved for our 3 day getaway.. Hell yeah !!! Great show as always !
Love Old Forester. For me it’s 1920, followed by 1910, then Signature 100. To me those are easily the best of the OF line. The rest of them I think there are better bottles from other distilleries at their price points.
Well this makes me quite curious, because I didn't much care for the 86 and 100. I'm quite interested in trying the 1920 and 1910, but the price points just don't have me itching to pull the trigger.
I agree with your lineup for sure although 20 vs 10 is a hard one. Both super good. I’m nursing a single barrel 100 store pick. It’s a flavor bomb in my mouth. I might get sad when it’s all gone haha
Picked up an Old Forester Single Barrel Cask Strength store pick the other month. A local Co-op turned 100 years and brought in several different things to celebrate through their liquor stores one of which was this so could not resist and picked up 2. Also picked up the Whiskey Row pack consisting of 3 375ml bottles of 1897, 1910 and 1920.
Love Old Forester. I'm not super-experienced, but so far the 1920 is up there with the best bourbon I've ever tried. And for the value, the 100 is hard to beat.
I agree with your ranking from best to worst. Thanks for also highlighting the flavors notes because I was having a hard time of what I was tasting and what to look for. Thanks again!
Just bought my first 1920 today, going to give it a try tonight!!! Thank you for all your videos, kinda new at this, and they have helped a lot. I haven't had a bad pour yet!!
1920 was my first high proof Bourbon and it drinks so smooth! I do drink mostly Old Fashioneds but compared to other pours it drinks so smooth and tons of flavor and it doesn't feel super hot to me.
I have a bottle of the 1920. It is an excellent pour. Every time I sip a glass I can feel the tension easing away. There are only a few whiskeys that do this. Excellent therapy for a day of stress!
Just had a 2018,2019,2020 birthday bourbon flight at old forester for $50. great value and nice to taste the differences. Love the single barrel barrel picks I always pick them up.
Good review and held my interest. I've only tasted the 86 proof and the 1920. I friggin LOVE the 1920! It has more chocolate than any other bourbon I've tasted so far, and with the vanilla and sometimes I'm even tasting graham cracker I've come to call it my S'Mores Bourbon. About the 1870, I get annoyed when a classic tasting bourbon is called "beginners" or "entry level." Classic American bourbon is not expensive and is most often absolutely delicious and affordable as daily sippers and when I hear "beginners" or "entry" as catagorizations I'm hearing someone catagorize themself as a snob.
Thanks for this great segment. Please keep these coming with other brand lines as they are fantastic. You have the best bourbon reviews on the tube, bar none. It's probably a minor detail, but just to avoid confusion: It's not really accurate to call Old Forester a distillery, as OF bourbons come from both the Brown Forman distillery in Shively and the OF distillery in Louisville. So this OF tasting evaluates a brand, not a distillery. The BF Shively distillery also produces Coopers Craft and Woodford Reserve and, formerly, Early times. In all likelihood, it also produces other contract distilled whiskeys that we don't know about.
Good review, thanks for posting it. I have OF 1910 and I love it. Definitely worth the green dollar bills. OF 1920 is on my list to get. I want to try it by itself, and also do the “OF 1915” blend of the 1910 and 1920.
Old Forester 1920 and 1910 are must haves. Such delicious juice. I love the 1910 so much, but that 1920, when it opens up, is amazing. It might be my favorite bourbon out there ATM. I have tried the 1897 and it's solid, but it didn't live up to the 1910 or '20. Other than that, the 100 proof is solid juice too, always worth having a bottle on hand. I haven't found the Statesman 95 proof near me yet, but glad I saw this video so I can save my excitement for something else.
OF 1920 is by far my favorite bourbon. It's proofy, but so layered. I think I get something new from it each time I drink it. So complex and wonderful. I've never tried the 1897, but based on Trenton's review I think that's going to have to be my next bottle.
Thanks Kurt! Love the SLB distillery series. Maybe after you get a summers worth of series in, in the fall, you could do a World Series taste test of all the distillery winners. (Sappy I know)
Great show, as usual! Thank you for your honest and sincere approach to tasting, as well as explaining. It’s very enjoyable. I have a few ideas for future videos, if I may be so bold. 1) You mention almost every show that this or that has a ‘quintessential’ bourbon flavor. It would be great to have a show where you describe what it is that makes a bourbon ‘quintessential’ to you. For example, is there a base flavor you look for? Is it a group of basic flavors that make up a certain flavor profile? Are there nuance flavors that give it that touchstone quality? What are the nuances or flavors that contribute to the quintessential quality? What nuances ‘disqualify’ a bourbon as being quintessential? Once addressed, have a blind test of some of your favorite ‘quintessential’ bourbons. That is one idea for a show. 2) You’ve done many very interesting shows of bourbons at a certain price point and you identified this one is worth the money, or a good value at this price, and others you felt were not worth that money. What about a show of the bourbons you feel are the best value, at a number of different price points, and perhaps a blind taste of them as well? Thank you for a great show that is interesting and educational. Can’t wait for the next one!
Thanks for the review! I wondered about the statesman, and balked on it last time in favor of the 1910 and I agree it’s great. That said I also gotta agree the 1920 edges it out. I’ll probably pick up a bottle of the 100 proof next time.
I love Old Forester. 1920 is my favorite, but I’m still trying to get my hands on one of those Barrel Proof bottles. 1910 is ok, but I like the bottled in bond and probably the regular 100 better. 1910 cannot compete with Woodford Double Oaked in terms of double oaked bourbons.
Between 1910, 1920 & 1897, I keep going back to 1910. I get an overpowering medicinal cherry flavor with the 1920 that just doesn't agree with my pallet. The 1897 has a little more baking spice compared to the 1910. The 1910 is my go-to bourbon served neat, I love it!
1920, 1897 and Signature 100. The Signature 100 leaves a bit of a bitter aftertaste for me, but the upfront flavors carry it through. 1920 and 1897 are both special in their very unique way. Good job, guys.
I really enjoy watching these videos. Just a calm presentation and description of the different bottles. And... here is the most important part >>> your choice of bottles to review is relevant to available brands to buy. I watch to learn about what my next purchase might be.
I have the same exact gripes with the Statesman. There is just an underlying bitterness that just doesn't do it for me. Appreciate Team SLB and their Patreons for this suggestions. The OF line is so readily available at retail in my area. I love their rye and the 1910 and my 1920 are my go to pours on a Friday.
Been searching for a new bourbon for awhile after my coach JB stopped making his slapdick agave whiskey ….well let me tell you I went out purchased 1870, 1910, 1920 Did a taste test and off your video and never having old forester I guessed each one right very first time hats off to SLB for finding me my new favorite bourbon in this order 1920, 1910, and 1887 What a great maple brown sugar note in 1920 and 1910 can’t wait to pair it with my cigars ….kudos SLB
I just want thank you. I picked up a bottle of the Old Forester 1920 based on your opinion, and its amazingly good. I’ve never had any of their brands, and it’s pretty damn good. Thank you, bottoms up, and cheers. 👍
Great session, Kurt & Trent! For the last few years, Statesman has been a staple on my bar, but my current bottle displays the bitter notes you describe, and just isn't the vanilla bomb of old.
My picks are: 1 1910 2 1920 3 1897 These are all great 👍🏻 The others are all great mixers (brand of choice in most cocktails) - with the exception of Statesman - just don’t like that one. Best overall line in my opinion right ahead of Turkey.
Kurt, I bought a 1920 a couple of weeks ago based on your March Madness. I thought it was ok at first taste, but trying it now, I get all the complexities you were talking about. Good stuff! Keep up the good work! :)
Im a big Old Forrester fan. My two favorites is the 1897 B and B and the 1920. Very hard to beat the 1920, so smooth it is hard to believe it is a 115 proof. I have had some $100 bourbons that do not come close to the 1920.
Love your shows, Always so much information. I havent done much with Old Forester, I do have a 1920, but I need to try a few more. As always Thanks for a great show
I love the 1910. I had both the 20 and the 10 at the same time. I felt like I wanted to like the 20 better because of the prohibition thing was kind of cool. The 10 was just so good
Really!?! In a blind taste I found the 1910 to resemble paint thinner more that any others. The 1920 which is higher proof is a amazing whiskey..........but the 1910 is paint thinner lol
The 100 proof Signature is one of my favorite 100 proof bourbon (WT 101, Knob Creek 9, and ET BIB are the others). Love the 1920 and the 1910. The rye is really good, too.
I have both 100 proof offerings, the 1910, 1920, and a barrel proof, and I agree with the people that believe you can’t go wrong with OF…I think they maintain the most consistent, reasonably-priced, and mostly accessible lineup of any other distillery.
John, I live in North Nashville and totally agree with you. Bourbon prices around here have really spiked recently, and the good stuff has gotten much harder to find.
I give the edge to 1910 over 1920. For me, that proof point is just right and I don’t think you lose any taste. Old Forester is great. I only wish I could find the other selections you profiled.
Really love what you guys awe doing. I just spent 10 days with my son visiting Kentucky . Louisville, Lexington and Bardstown were fantastic. In fact my Wife is related to Elijah Craig (distance relation of course). Having recently been there I would be interested in you doing a show on some of the “lesser known or newer” distilleries such as Peerless, Rabbit Hole, Lux Row, Castle and Key, etc…. Some you have touched on (I am still working my way thru your videos and you may have covered them) but I would be interested in seeing some of these appear in your reviews. Love the show and appreciate the knowledge you and your son are providing. Thanks.
Some of the early 2000's Birthday Bourbons were excellent as well. Very nice bottle for the wife to make lamps out of as well. I like the distillers putting their product in pretty bottles so that gives the beautiful young lady and excuse to let me buy bourbon. Hats off to Blantons!
Hi Kurt. I know you made this vid some time ago but I am just adventuring into Old Forester and went back to review. You and Kurt make such fun and informative posts. It is now my main go to for things whiskey. My pallet seems more similar to yours than Trent's preferring warm, spicy and sweet to fruity and sour notes (I grew up before Skittles-lol). I am just venturing into Old Forester and am planning to buy my first two bottles. I am definitely getting the 1920 but would like your advise on the other. For reference my favorites include Knob Creek 9 yr CS, Russel's 10 yr CS, and Jim Beam Single Barrel CS. My daily drinkers are Rebel 100, WT 101, and KB (9Yr 100). I am not so keen on Heaven Hill products ( have Larceny, ECSB, and HH BiB). I generally sip neat but occasionally , if I am drink a cocktail, it is an Old Fashion. For my second bottle do you recommend OF 100 or OF Rye 100?
I've been into collecting Bourbon for a short time...I've bought, Basil, Motor City, Blantons, Eagle Rare, BTrace, Woodford d.o., E Craig,,and 1910 -- 1910 is me and my dad's ABSOLUTE FAVORITE
Another great episode. Loving this series. Great job gentlemen. Love Old Forester. Next would like to see a 1792 or Elijah Craig episode. God bless you both
OF 86 is what got me into bourbon! Only other had 1910 but loved that as well! I am a bit curious - has anyone ever mixed the 86 and 100 together? (the poor man's 1915 lol)
Watched this again. Great job as usual. Looks like I need to get the Old Forester 100 ($23 in Dallas TX) to start and splurge on the 1920 ($56 in Dallas) . Happy Thanksgiving. Thankful for your great reviews
checking out online reviews right now, never had OF before. Just got a bottle of 100 today at my local store for $17, really excited to check it out later!
I like to get the 100 if I'm traveling and take it back to the hotel. 1920 is pretty much my go to sip. Stellum is my second go to. Both around 60 clams here in Nashville.
I’m newer to whiskey & bourbon. I had the 1870 since December, thank God I’m finally almost done with it! Not a fan! But looking forward to trying the 1920 for sure!
Great review. Prices around the Chicago burbs are higher than where you are. That being said you can pick up a 1.75 of the 100 to ease the price per pour.
I’m more of a scotch drinker and islay in particular but always have a bottle of the 86 in my collection. I can get it as cheap as £17 when it’s on offer and at that price it’s an amazing drink.
Early in my bourbon life (three years ago), I took a flight of the years and the 1897 was my pick. I recently purchased a bottle of 1870 and 1920 and the 1920 took the gold!! I'm going to get bottle of the 1897 in the next week or two and try a flight again! My tastes have changed dramatically in three years.
I've been an Irish whiskey guy for a long time - had a few bourbons (including Pappy 23) but never been pulled towards them. I got a bottle of 1910 this weekend and don't want to drink anything else now. Straight Cherry Cola and Oak.
the 1920 changed; it used to have so much going on but once they made that change it feels dull. Wife and I blinded the 4 corked bottles (not the Statesman bc we heard only bad things) and the 1920 was a distant 3rd for both of us (she liked 1897 at 1 and I def went 1910). That said Id rather just do the 100 and 86 over any of them. I avoided the 86 for years bc the low proof. After hearing/watching so many reviews on how its about the best of the bunch I picked one up. I was STUNNED. Yeah its not hot at all but the nose! Wow! Cherries Banana so much going on and its got a great pallet too! back to 1920: blinded against WT Rare Breed and it wasnt even close. Winner by KO 20 seconds into round 1 - RB. Again once they changed the label color of the 1920 the presence left with it
Love me some Old Forester...so glad you did this one. I've never had the Statesman or the 1920, but I've loved all the rest of them (although I don't drink the 86 straight I usually use it as a mixer). I've had a few other people claim that they didn't think the Statesman wasn't worth the cost, so interesting to hear you say pretty much the same thing.
Very good presentation indeed! Thank you Kurt! It's shameful that in my country( Finland) American whiskeys are very hard to find and with ridiculous prices ( for example Jack Daniel's old n:o 7 is 38€ = 42 USD and Gentleman Jack is 55 USD). And Old Forrester isn't available at all !
Good show again today Kurt, I wish I had the time & the money to try them all and make my own decisions. That being said, there were a couple that you and Trent gave a thumbs down on so I'll take you words on those. When I'm back in the US it's only for 30 days and I stay with friends so I'd have to buy a lot of bottles and leave them behind. TSA doesn't allow open bottles in checked baggage either.
