Old Forester
Birthday Bourbon 2018
Brown-Forman
Proof: 101
ABV: 50.5%
Style: Bourbon
State: KY
Price: $$$
Peggy Noe Stevens – 8.6
Nose: Macaroon balanced with caramel and pecan. Ginger notes. Floral rose water yet expresses oakiness.
Palate: Milk chocolate with dried apricot and peppery pineapple. Wood expression between complexity of spice and fruit.
Finish: Bone dry and spicey on the roof that eventually elongates to an enjoyable sizzle on the tongue.
Comments: The zing sings and I love an assertive personality.
Susan Reigler – 8.2
Nose: Vanilla with caramel covered cherries. The spice note is nutmeg.
Palate: Tobacco and book leather. Fair amount of oak. A little water does not restore the fruit, but lends roasted pecans.
Finish: A very dry finish. But it is not bitter.
Comments: While not unpleasantly woody or tannin, nuts and oak are the major flavor components. Would have liked some more of the elements on the nose to show up on the palate.