I've been wanting to write this Old Forester President's Choice review for a long period, but getting a container that doesn't price a mortgage transaction is easier mentioned than done. In the event that you've spent any kind of time within the bourbon community, you know this particular bottle is actually the ghost. It pops up at the particular distillery in Louisville, or possibly in the dreams of a very lucky collector, then it's gone. But I finally was able to sit down with a pour associated with this legendary fruit juice, and I have some thoughts.
Usually, when folks talk about Old Forester, they immediately think about the 1920 Prohibition Style or maybe the annual Birthday celebration Bourbon release. Whilst those are excellent, President's Choice will be a different animal entirely. It's the single-barrel expression, bottled at barrel proof, and it symbolizes what the president of the company considers is the absolute best of the best sitting within their warehouses.
What's the Big Deal Anyway?
So, why does everyone panic over this particular bottle? The history is actually fairly cool. The tradition dates back in order to 1964 when George Garvin Brown II started selecting specific barrels to be sold to VIPs and friends of the brand. It wasn't really the "product" you can just go buy at the liquor store. It was a statement associated with quality.
Fast forward to today, as well as the tradition continues. The existing "President's Choice" barrels are hand-picked from the command at Brown-Forman—usually the President of Old Forester. They're looking for barrels that have aged specifically properly, often hitting that sweet spot among seven and 12 years. Because these types of are single barrels, every release is usually different. You might get one that's an overall total cherry bomb, while the next one is deep, dark oak and leather.
The bottle I'm reviewing today comes in at a healthful 118 proof. It's got that traditional Old Forester look—elegant, vintage-inspired, and searching like it belongs on a mahogany desk next to a very expensive cigar.
Diving Straight into the Glass
When I poured this for my Old Forester President's Choice review, the very first thing I noticed has been the color. It's dark. We're speaking burnt amber, nearly like maple viscous syrup that's been decreased on the oven. It's got some serious legs, as well, clinging to the particular side of the Glencairn like it doesn't wish to allow go.
The Nose Right away the bat, you receive that signature Old Forester "funk, " but it's refined. There's a substantial hit of dark brown sugar and toasted oak. It's not really a light, flower whiskey; it's large and aromatic. I picked up plenty of dark cherry plus a bit of that synthetic banana take note that Old Forester is famous with regard to, but here it smells more like a caramelized Plums Foster than the usual item of candy. There's also a tip of tobacco leaf and perhaps a small bit of cocoa powder. It's complicated enough that I spent about 10 minutes just smelling it before We even took the sip.
The Palate The mouthfeel is where this particular bottle really makes its reputation. It's oily and solid. It coats every thing. The first drink is a punch associated with spice—cinnamon and black pepper—but it rapidly expands into a deep sweetness. I'm getting salted caramel, vanilla bean, plus a very specific dark chocolate bitterness that balances away the sugar.
When i let it sit upon my tongue, the particular oak starts to come through. It's "old" oak—not that will sawdusty, young wooden flavor, however the type of deep, seasoned wood flavor you simply get from high-quality barrels sitting within the right part of the warehouse. It's remarkably smooth with regard to 118 proof, although it definitely tells you it's there.
The Finish The finish is longer. Like, "I may still taste it five minutes later" long. It leaves a warm shine within your chest (the "Kentucky hug") plus a lingering flavor of leather, dried out dark fruits, plus a tiny little bit of mint. This doesn't turn sour at the end, which is usually a trap plenty of older, high-proof bourbons fall into. Rather, it just slowly fades away into a sweet, hard woody memory.
Is usually It Better Compared to Birthday Bourbon?
This is actually the question everybody asks. If a person had to select from a Birthday Bourbon and a President's Choice, which one should you opt for?
I'll be honest: this will depend on what you like. Birthday Bourbon is usually bottled at a reduced proof and is often read more about classiness and nuance. It's a "pretty" bourbon. Old Forester President's Choice is a giant. It's more intense, even more flavorful, and mainly because it's bottled from barrel proof, it has a lot more "oomph. "
In my viewpoint, President's Choice is often the exceptional whiskey if you're a fan of high-proof spirits. While Birthday Bourbon provides the name reputation and the elegant bottle, President's Choice feels more like a raw, unfiltered look at what Old Forester can really do whenever they aren't worried about hitting a specific proof point for the mass release.
The Struggle associated with the Hunt
Here's the component of the Old Forester President's Choice review where I have to become a slight buzzkill. Obtaining this bottle is definitely a nightmare.
Usually, these are only released at the Old Forester distillery upon Main Street in Louisville. They don't announce when they're dropping; you simply have to become there at the particular right time, or even follow certain sociable media groups that track distillery releases. Because of that will, the secondary marketplace price for people is definitely insane.
MSRP is generally about $150 to $200, which is currently steep. But in the event that you try to buy one from the private seller, you're looking at anywhere from $600 to $1, 000+ depending on the specific barrel and evidence.
Is usually any bourbon worthy of $800? Probably not really. But in the $180 mark? If you're a fan of the brand, it's a must-buy. It's a special occasion bottle, something you open up when you've experienced a big get or you're discussing a drink along with someone who actually cares about what's in the glass.
Final Verdict
Wrapping up this Old Forester President's Choice review, I have got to say that will it mostly lives up to the massive quantity of hype surrounding it. It's a masterclass in what Kentucky bourbon must be. It's bold, it's sweet, it's spicy, and it has a depth of taste you don't find in your everyday shelf bottles.
It's not a "daily drinker"—even if you could find enough from it to drink daily, it's too intense for the casual Tuesday evening pour. This is a whiskey that demands your interest. You need in order to sit with this, add a few falls of water if you want to open up it notes, and actually spend some time.
If you ever fall into Louisville and you see people sprints toward the Old Forester distillery, you might want to join them. When they occurs have President's Choice upon the shelf, don't overthink it. Just grab it. A person won't regret this once you obtain that first sip of dark cherry and caramel heaven.
Pros: * Incredible, oily mouthfeel that coats the palate. * Compound layers of dark fruit, oak, and spice. * 1 of the best expressions of the particular Old Forester flavor profile. * Large proof that carries flavor without having to be excessively "hot. "
Cons: * Incredibly difficult to discover at retail price. * Secondary prices are reaching "luxury car payment" levels. * Since it's a single barrel, presently there can be a few variation between bottles (though most are usually excellent).
In the end associated with the day, Old Forester President's Choice remains one associated with the crown gems of the bourbon world. It's a reminder that your big heritage distilleries can still produce something which feels artisanal and special. In the event that you obtain the possibility to try it, bring it. Just don't blame me whenever your regular bourbon starts tasting a little bit boring afterward.