The middle bottle of Old Forester's 150th Anniversary trio, Batch 02 was drawn from 48 barrels and bottled unfiltered at 126.4 proof. The distillery described it as sweet and lively, with more red fruit and chocolate than its two siblings.
About This Bourbon
All three anniversary batches came from 147 barrels filled on a single day and matured side by side, the survivors of 150 originally laid down. Jackie Zykan, then Master Taster, gave each blend its own flavour target rather than splitting the barrels evenly. Batch 02 took 48 of those barrels and, like the others, went into bottle unfiltered at batch strength with no water added. It was released in autumn 2020 in a presentation tube.
Tasting Profile
- Nose: Cherry cordial and raspberry jam, with vanilla and a little cedar.
- Palate: Sweet and spry, with French toast, chocolate malt, dark toffee and cinnamon.
- Finish: Lively spice at the front, then cedar and a mildly dry, warming fade.
Serving & Food
Pour a half measure at room temperature into a tulip glass and let it sit before nosing. Add cool water drop by drop to taste. Try it with char siu, duck with cherry sauce or a slice of dark chocolate torte.
How to Enjoy
Anyone completing the anniversary set, and bourbon fans who prefer a sweeter high-proof style.
Product Details
Producer: Old Forester (Brown-Forman)
Series: 150th Anniversary Batch Proof
Batch: 2 of 3
ABV: 126.4 proof / 63.2% ABV
Barrels: 48
Filtration: Unfiltered
Release: 2020
Format: 750mL
Style: Limited release Kentucky straight bourbon
Origin: USA
Region: Kentucky
About the Distillery
Old Forester has an unbroken sales record reaching back to 1870. When Prohibition closed most of the trade, Brown-Forman held a licence to sell whiskey for medicinal use, and Old Forester continued to reach pharmacies on prescription through the dry years.
The name has a story of its own. Brown named the whiskey after Dr. William Forrester, a Louisville physician and friend who backed his idea of medicinal whiskey sold only in sealed bottles. Early labels spelled it Old Forrester, and the second "r" was dropped when the doctor retired.