Old Forester Birthday Bourbon

[mgilbertva]

Tonight I opened a bottle of the newest version of OFBB. Bought it off the shelf of my local ABC after getting a list of the stores with some in stock.

Barreled in 1994 (spring, I believe) at 94 proof. This newest OFBB has a bronze-color theme for the label.

Very red in color. Medium body and medium-short finish. A decent amount of heat without being unpleasant (to me). Toffee is the immediate and dominant flavor, with a strong note of maple. Almonds show up in the middle. Dry finish.

Put next to a fuller-bodied bourbon, maybe it wouldn't show as well, but by itself it's very enjoyable. In fact, it strikes me as rather unique. Normally such a heavy toffee-maple note would also be sweet, yet this one is on the light side and dry.

A very good bourbon. Definitely worth a try.

[BourbonJoe]

I like it too Mark.

Joe :usflag:

[MurphyDawg]

yeah, the healthy nip i got in bardstown was quite nice.

[StraightBoston]

Had a taste of this year's last week at Koji's bar in Japan -- by itself, pleasant enough, but unremarkable compared to its company for the evening (Pappy 23 "Barrel C" and Four Roases Cask Strength) as well as OFBB from years past (the Spring 2003 is one of my top 5 if not top 3 bourbons!)

I get the caramel and dry comments from above -- no fruit whatsoever on the palate.

[BourbonJoe]

(the Spring 2003 is one of my top 5 if not top 3 bourbons!)

No comparison IMO to the original release 2002. IMO the 2002 was the best of the lot and I have 'em all.

Joe :usflag:

[mgilbertva]

Sadly, I have not had the pleasure of trying the '02. Should I find one, it's on my "must buy" list.

[Sijan]

I tend to agree with your tasting notes although I found the disconnect between the nose and the palate to be somewhat off-putting. The nose promised a sweet, heavy bourbon but, as you note, it was light and dry.