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      Four Gate Whiskey Announces Release 15.1, 15.2, & 15.3: The Bluegrass Trilogy

      By BillNovember 30, 20210
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      November 30, 2021

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    ModernThirst
    Old Forester

    Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style Bourbon Review

    BillBy BillFebruary 1, 20171 Comment3 Mins Read

    What it is

    From the press release:

    This 115 proof expression is the third release in our Old Forester Whiskey Row series and celebrates the brand’s continued distillation during Prohibition. For 13 years, the production, transport and sale of alcohol was strictly prohibited. However, Old Forester was granted a permit to continue distilling on Louisville’s Whiskey Row. The 115 proof expression represents a barrel sample that company president Owsley Brown I would have batched at the beginning of Prohibition.

     

    Old Forester 1920 Vital Stats
    • ABV: 57.5% (Proof: 115º)
    • Mash Bill: 72% Corn, 18% rye, 10% Malted Barley
    • Barrel Char: #4
    • Barrel Entry Proof: 125º
    • Age: NAS
    • Producer: Brown-Forman
    • Price Paid: $50
    • Availability: Available in select states

    Packaging

    We’ve all seen the Whiskey Row series, and this one follows that same theme.  It’s nice and attractive.

    Appearance

    Deep amber, very dark, but clear.  there is no hint of sediment or barrel particles when poured into the Glencairn, which makes me think this is a chill filtered.

    Nose

    Strong sweet graham crackers greet the nose, but are quickly joined by rich red fruits like black cherries.  The oak is present, though faint, and some earthy notes underlie it all.

    glencairn-amazonPalate

    And this is where Old Forester 1920 takes off.  Sweet and hot at the same time, this comes in with a powerful first sip laden with brown sugar, graham cracker, and vanilla.  That quickly gives way to oak and dark fruit (plums, cherries) on the mid palate, and then to black pepper and oak on the rear of the tongue.

    Finish

    Despite its relatively high proof, this never takes on an ethanol characteristic.  It’s viscous and mouth-coating on the tongue, and the finish lingers for a good while with pleasing notes of cinnamon, pie crust, and black pepper, with a hint of powered dark chocolate.

    Synopsis

    I may have a new favorite from the Whiskey Row series.  I’ve liked all three variants thus far, but the 115 proof really makes this whiskey soar.  It’s slightly pricey at $50-60, but it taste like it’s probably on the upper range of Old Forester agings (aside from Birthday Bourbon), and I’d peg it at around 6 years.  It works.  This is really a great example of the Brown-Forman mash bill.  In fact, it (along with the rest of the Whiskey Row series and Birthday Bourbon) are the 4 best Brown-Forman bourbons made, and that includes the ever-disappointing Woodford Reserve lineup.  This gets a definite recommendation.

    ModernThirst.com Score: 91 out of 100 points

     

    Facebook Comments

    Old Forester 1920

    91 Excellent

    The 115 proof makes this mash bill soar. Chock-full of decadent red fruit aromas and sweet vanilla flavor, this is a nicely drinking whiskey that hits all the right notes on the palate.

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    Bill
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    Bill is the Co-Founder, Editor-in Chief, and official Bourbon-o-Phile for ModernThirst.com, and Founder and Chief Blending Officer for Four Gate Whiskey Company. He is a native of Louisville, KY in the heart of Bourbon Country. He attended the University of Kentucky in the mid to late 1990s. He has also been published on Liquor.com. He has conducted various bourbon and whiskey tastings in cities across the country, and consulted for multiple national labels. He is married with two daughters, and lives in east Louisville. You can follow him on Facebook and Twitter @BillStraub and email him at Bill@ModernThirst.com.

    Related Posts

    Four Gate Whiskey Announces Release 15.1, 15.2, & 15.3: The Bluegrass Trilogy

    November 30, 2021

    Old Forester 21st Release of Annual Birthday Bourbon

    August 24, 2021

    Press Release: Old Forester’s Next Release in the 117 Series Features a Blend of Barrels Aged Solely in Warehouse K 

    August 20, 2021

    1 Comment

    1. Monty Whisenhunt on February 2, 2017 12:00 am

      Nice review. I get a nice leather with this one suggesting some older Bourbon in it. Easy drinker for its proof and quite complex.

      Reply

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