The 1910 has become the bottle I reach for more than any other on my bar (I have about 2 dozen nice whiskeys, including some very expensive Scotches and Irish). I love the 1920 too, but the 1910 is more approachable with the lower proof and makes a wonderful dessert/nightcap drink.
I completely agree with your thoughts on the 1910. The 1910 most definitely gets better after a little air gets in the bottle! I originally wasn’t sure if I liked it in the beginning but was sad when I finished the last pour. Highly recommend it!
Outstanding review! You hit all of the high notes perfectly. For me, personally, old Forrester 1920 is the “fine cognac” of bourbons. There are so many, so very many, outstanding bourbons available on the market today and yet I find myself continually coming back to Old Forrester 1920 again and again. I know it’s totally a personal thing and everyone has their own taste notes and preferences. BUT for me, OF’s 1920 is just outstanding. Thanks for your excellent review
Great review of a whole bunch a really good Bourbons. I completely agree the 1910 and 1920 are priced right where they should be but the 1897 and 1870 are a little bit overpriced for what they are in my opinion.
i got a bottle of the 86 and loved it so my buddy told me his favortie is 1910 but i cant find it so i picked up the 1920 and it became my favorite bourbon first sip
Newb here and really like the OF stuff. 120 is a little hot for my beginner palate, but interesting and I’m sure I will love it in time. 1910 is where it’s at - love it and WRDO.
The 1910 is one of my favorite daily drinkers. Even from the 1st pour ive loved it. For me its at that perfect level of sweetness and flavor while still retaining just enough of that whisky warmth. I've recommended it to all my friends non stop
I've had the 1910 and 1920. All I can say is they are amazing. Just fantastic noses and even better on the pallette. Two of the best bourbons out there today. Also very findable and probably better than alot of the allocated hard to find bourbons out there.
The more things change ... The more they stay the same. Old Forester & Wild Turkey make some of this world's absolute best bourbons! Well done - 1920 is in my top five of what I would spend my money on.
These in depth reviews just keep getting better and better. Fantastic info on this Whiskey row series Jason!! I think we can tell which one was your favorite lol. Cheers buddy!!!!
I was at a bar in SF this year. They made fantastic drinks and I ordered quite a few. At the end of the bartender's shift, he gave me a free shot. I was floored with how flavorful and smooth it was. When asked, he said it was Old Forester. It's been a favorite and a staple since (I'm assuming it was the 1920).
Just another fantastic review, Jason. Because of all the great reviews I went straight out and got me a bottle of 1920. Now I know this is a great bourbon but most of the time I just can't get past the strange finish I get from it. Delicious nose, palate is good then WHAM - horrible finish. Tannic oakiness? I just don't know. . . But here's a strange thing: SOMETIMES after sipping some of my other bourbons I'll go back to the 1920 and that horrible finish is GONE! Then this bottle is heaven. I have to stop myself from sucking it all down. This is the strangest thing I've run into on my (short) bourbon journey so far.
Great video my friend! 1920 is my favorite by far. 1910 can be good but it's very hit and miss for me. Never tried the other 2. After this video, I probably won't! Haha maybe at a bar. Cheers bud!
1920 won me with the first bottle. I hope they can sustain the quality and formula. In addition to the flavors, I am charmed with it's contrasts, which I find unique. It reminds me of Debussy's "reflects dans l'eau" piano prelude - lights within a deep dark pool.
I am newer to your channel and was so excited to find that you did a tasting on this series. I have been drinking bourbon for about 6 years and it has taken me a while to work my way into trying Old Forester. I tried 1910 at a bar and fell in love with it. 1910 and 1920 have been my go-to bourbons for the past 6 months or so, and I recently purchased 1897 which I enjoy as well. Now I just need to decide whether or not to buy/try the 1870 just to complete the package. 😀
I like the 1870, 1910 and 1920, but I’m not a fan of the 1897. The 1897 just seems too hot for 100 proof, and I’m usually a big fan of BIB bourbon. The Statesman is also very good. If I had to pick my favorite of the Old Forester Whiskey Row series, it would be the 1910, but it’s really close with the 1920.
Thanks for the history lesson along with your impressions of these fine bourbon expressions. Very enjoyable and it looks there is a bottle of 1910 in my future! Thanks and keep it up.
Man, I LOVE your videos. I just ran across them and watched 4 in a row while sipping a Knob Creek 9-year-old. First, you are simply well spoken and engaging to listen to. But second, you know what you are talking about. What a propitious find for me. And might I add that I only use the word propitious if I have been drinking. Cheers!
You are by far the finest reviewer of bourbon on RU-vid. You call it like you see it. You come across as someone who just wants to share your love of whiskey with no agenda. I'm an old guy so take it as a big compliment for what it's worth.
Jason, Great series and glad you covered the "1915". Wish I had tried blending before I finished my 1910. Haven't seen the 1910 in like 12 months. Agreed the 1910 needs that few weeks after opening to more fully enjoy. To me, more like a dessert pour with those flavors. Any other blends with these 4 you think might be interesting? Had a sample from a friend of the Statesman and was pleasantly surprised but at $55, the 1920 wins easily and just a few bucks more.
I actually want to get the whole whiskey row series, but the price definitely turns me away since I'm starting the collection. I have the BIB and will probably get the 1920 next.
So, all four have their own unique story but come from the same mash bill, 78% corn, 18% rye, and 10% barley? My question is, how are these bottles different from a distilling perspective?
For some reason I'm not impressed with 1910 at all. I smell like acetone ;-) but taste is good. 1920 outstanding. I'll try 1915 ;-) I'll let 1910 to breath. Possibly I'll get better nose.
Where I am from in North East England, I can regularly get my hands on the 86 proof and sometimes 1920, would love to try and get the others but its near impossible.
Thanks for the information and analysis. I'm just curious, do you have to say cheers before every sip? I've watched several of your videos and it gets a little annoying.
I used to love OF, but after I really started tasting other bourbons I realized how mediocre OF really is. It tastes young and has lots of ethanol compared to other mid to higher end brands. Needless to say it is no longer a staple in my house.
The local "big chain" store that sells liquors for the best price in the area, OF1870 original batch goes for $56. Don't move to Mass. if you like whisky lol.
Damn great review, love the 1920 a lot and it's one I really enjoy as well. Haven't had the 1910 yet. As for the other two for me at those price points there are other options. Cheers buddy!
Great review, Jason. I really love the 1920, but then I had the 1910 and I was simply wowed. I really enjoyed it on first pour. I cannot wait to try blending them together. Great suggestion. Keep up the great work!
I'm not a fan of statesman personally. I feel like it misses the mark of what makes old Forester good. Single barrels all have the old Forester barrel flavor. But with the old Forester single barrels I always say try it if you can before you buy...some are really really good and some are average. Cheers! Glad you enjoyed the review.
Really good line, my personal favorite is 1910. Like a moist yellow cake with some molasses and baking spices. 1920 is really good too!! Haven't tried the other two as of yet. Which is something to look forward to.
My brother has the 1920, our buddy has the 1910. I keep wanting the get the bottled in bond but my brother kept telling me he heard its not that good (eventhough he never had it) and the 1910 and 1920 are the only ones worth having. Idk why but i always seem to gravitate toward BIB/bonded bottles, 90-100 proof is my sweet spot. A few 110-115 proofs i really liked, but they have to drink below their proof or its too hot for me. I think im going to grab this BiB. Sounds like something id like from his review. I have a hard time with ppl saying something is good but not worth $50. To me, if its good/i like it, its worth $50.
Love lineup videos like this, maybe my favorite type of whiskey review video. I do think you are underselling the 1897. I've never had the nicer Old Forester products because I thought they were overpriced, but gave in last week and bought the 1897. (My only other options when I went were the 1870 and the Statesman.) I think the 1897 is pretty damn good. I currently have Evan Williams and Jim Beam BiBs open, and the 1897 wipes the floor with those two. Given the prominent oak note I agree that it's likely significantly older than 4 years, while the behemoths probably bottle their BiBs immediately after the 4Y mark. I could be wrong, but the alcohol burn is much more pronounced with the EW and JB.
I think the 1897 is really good as well. Everytime o talk to others about it is the price. But yeah, I think it's older and definitely more balanced than it's competition. But being double the price of alot of other BiBs I think everyone needs to try it and see how it tastes for them.
@@bigzach322 100 falls somewhere in between the 1870 and 1897. I personally like the BiB over the signature. I just think it has more complexity but I like the signatures proof, flavor and price over the 1890
@@TheMashandDrum Cool deal, I'll have to try that. Tangentially to this, I think a good double bass episode would be comparing 1910 to Woodford Double Oaked, and maybe throw in the cheaper Jim Beam Double Oak for comparison.
Am I the only person who really dislikes the 1920? For me I get a medicinal cherry and iodine bitterness that I just can't get around. You know when you're making unsweet iced tea and you ruin it by over-steeping it in too hot water - I got a lot of that too. I really wanted to like it, but felt like I basically wasted $50. I ended up having to mix with old Forester Rye which ended up being good, but won't buy again.
Great video, I enjoy all the research and production that you put into your videos. I watched your Old Forester comparisons last night for the first time and I can't wait to try the 1915. Great suggestion. 50/50 Blend or do you recommend a different ratio to start with?
Again great information about the history. Makes sense that someone from the pharmaceutical industry would be the one to start putting Whiskey in glass bottles just like the products he was used to working with. Agree that both Old Forester and its brother Woodford are very special wood flavor oriented perfect marriage of a big cooperage that owns distilleries they can order any special barrel they want for a more reasonable cost than someone custom ordering from a different business. Heard they age the staves a lot longer before making the barrels plus special toasts and chars. I started with the 1870 early on when had not gotten into cask strength yet and found it to be very good. Also it opens up quite a bit as you go down the bottle. From there went straight to the 1920 as it was so well reviewed and its great. Cheers Jason
I may have to pay $80 for Old Weller Antique 107 but I'm so thankful I can get Old Forester 1920 for $50 all in. The Old Forester 1910 is so scarce by me though. I was told it was similar in flavor to the Michter's 10 Year Bourbon. I'm hoping to find the 1910 sometime soon.
@@TheMashandDrum Thanks for the prompt response. You've made my day. I was checking the Total Wine website and they had no ETA on the Old Forrester 1910. I'll keep an eye out for it in September.
Pretty sure the 1870 and 1897 are a lot more popular to the general public than the 1920 is, but for bourbon lovers, I'd say you're right that 1920 is where it's at.
Possibly. I just always see shelves with alot of 1870 and 1897 while the 1920 and 1910 are usually almost or completely gone. I was impressed with the 1897 Bib. I think more people should try it.
@@TheMashandDrum I suspect that's because they get 5 cases a time of the 1870/1897 and 1 case every few weeks of the 1920, and the 1910 was a really limited initial release.
Great idea to review the whole Whiskey Row Series at once. What is the ratio to create a 1915? Equal parts each or something else? Keep up he good work.
Is there any other bourbon that you think tastes similar to the 1910? I love that stuff and only drink neat. I would love to serve my guests a whiskey sour with 1910 over the summer but the cost is too much for a large party. Thanks
The only one that has that type of sweet to me is Woodford double oaked. Sweet. Oaky and chocolatey. But that's about 50 bucks. You can use regular Woodford or even old Forester signature for cheaper options. They aren't as chocolate but they have notes of chocolate
1897 BIB is a big let down. Oak and cherry all the way. Old Forester reminds me of Woodford Reserve, which I can't stand. However, the 1920, is a brilliant whiskey, one of my top 5 go to bourbons.
Did a 4 bottle tasting Friday night and one was the 1897, my first taste. I was pleasantly surprised at some of that cherry and liked more than a sample from a friend of the Statesman. But at just $10 less than the 1920, fuggetaboudit. The 1920 is so available around here and most places are $55 to 65 so screw those >$100 unobtainium or budget-breaker bottles. Hell, places that want $40 for Buffalo Trace or $120 for Blantons have the 1920 at under $70. To me, the only competition for value is a SP KC120 SiB at $40 to 45. Cheers!!
I was able to get a bottle of ‘ The President’s Choice ‘ at the distillery back in June .. I had that blind with 1920, and while they’re both very good, I picked 1920 over TPC. While I’ve never had OFBB, I wouldn’t doubt that I’d pick 1920 over that too.
Really informative. I'm new to bourbon drinking. The 1920 is my favorite, by far, of the dozen or so bourbons I have tried. My experience with the 1910 is exactly the same as you described. I look forward to seeing how it tastes to me as it gets more time to open up. Based on the information you have provided, I don't think the 1870 or 1897 are for me.
New subscriber. Jason, I had to subscribe. Your energy and dedication can't be ignored. The intro music is kinda epic as well. I am not a high proof kinda guy but the 1920 is my all time favorite. Keep up the great content.
I ordered a pour of the 1920 at a restaurant this weekend and I got bubble gum notes on every sip. I've never experienced that in a bourbon before. It was really good, and it didn't drink like a 115 proof. Tonight I bought a bottle and I'm sitting here sipping on it and I am not finding the bubble gum note at all, and I can tell it's a high proof. I wonder if I didn't get what I ordered this weekend, or if maybe it's just the neck pour I'm drinking or what.. but this doesn't seem like the same bourbon I had at the restaurant.
There was a special two-pack for sale that allowed me to try the 1920. It was paired with the OF Signature 100 proof that you briefly mentioned. The 1920 is gone and I still have some of the other bottle. Really loved the 1920 and searched (in vain) for the special offer again; I think both bottles were about $65. Thanks, Jason.
GREAT review, Jason. You did your research and yes, I did NOT like the 1910. I bought a 1920 and I may crack it open this weekend, but taking your advice to heart and I'll reconsider the 1910. Thanks, man!
