Old Forester Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky, 700 ml

Old Forrester: the original bartenders handshake, or the Kentucky handshake, which ever you prefer to call it. This is the best, and original bourbon of the United States. The old is Brandon existence. You cannot find a better bottle of bourbon to keep on your back bar, that you don’t have to cringe when people mix with Coke. Their higher tears are even better, especially if you can magically get your hands on a bottle of birthday bourbon. Makes a great old-fashioned, Manhattan, just about anything you can throw at it, it will stand up to. If you’re looking for a nice spicy cake they also make a Rye that’s around the same price point

As Smooth As You'll Find at This Price Point

I've bought this quite a few times over the years. It's an excellent bourbon, either on its own on in a cocktail. You won't find a smoother bourbon at this price point.This go-around, I made a cranberry bourbon sour cocktail that was delicious. Rough recipe is this bourbon, cranberry juice (made it homemade with a bit of artificial sweetener), pomegranate juice, zest and juice from freshly squeezed oranges, freshly squeezed lime juice, soda water, and orange bitters. It worked well and kept for a few days in the refrigerator, just add a bit more fresh soda water and another splash of bourbon to freshen it up!

Decent, Inoffensive Bourbon for the Price

Decided to try a new bourbon for mixed drinks. It's good with cola or ginger ale. Can be decent in an old fashioned but needs a little extra sugar to help it out. For this price point it's solid, but I think I'll get Bulleit again next time.

Great taste

First time I tried an Old Forester product. This is for 86 proof straight bourbon whiskey. It's very smooth and I enjoy the taste. Good value for the price. I'm glad I tried this and think anybody would be happy with this bourbon in a mix or neat.

Solid Hooch for the Price of Admission

I've first became acquainted with Old Forester when mooching off of it from one of my drinking buddies (like none of you have done that before, am I right?). In spite of its relatively low price point in comparison to well-established names such as Bulleit and Buffalo Trace, Old Forester is surprisingly good.Although the lingering, oak-ridden finish was the only thing that prevented me from warranting a 5-star review (which threw it off-balance for me a tad bit), this bourbon nonetheless thrives on its robust flavors. Bursting with dark cherry, coffee, vanilla, and molasses notes, this bourbon is pleasantly delicious when sipping neat or on the rocks.Suffice to say, Old Forester is worth the forfeiture of expendable currency. I conclude this review with a ... MoreI've first became acquainted with Old Forester when mooching off of it from one of my drinking buddies (like none of you have done that before, am I right?). In spite of its relatively low price point in comparison to well-established names such as Bulleit and Buffalo Trace, Old Forester is surprisingly good.Although the lingering, oak-ridden finish was the only thing that prevented me from warranting a 5-star review (which threw it off-balance for me a tad bit), this bourbon nonetheless thrives on its robust flavors. Bursting with dark cherry, coffee, vanilla, and molasses notes, this bourbon is pleasantly delicious when sipping neat or on the rocks.Suffice to say, Old Forester is worth the forfeiture of expendable currency. I conclude this review with a handful of cocktail recipes (yes, you can use this bourbon as a mixer despite what hard-nosed purists may state on the contrary).MINT JULEP- 6 to 10 mint leaves- 1 teaspoon powdered sugar- Splash of water- 2 ounces Old Forester Straight BourbonIn a cocktail glass (bonus points if it's the traditional silver julep cup), muddle the mint leaves, sugar, and water into a paste. Fill the receptacle with cracked ice, pour the bourbon in, stir with purpose, and garnish with a couple of leaves pointed straight up.SEELBACH COCKTAIL- 1 oz. Old Forester Straight Bourbon- 1/2 oz. Cointreau- 7 dashes Angostura bitters- 7 dashes Peychaud's bitters- ChampagneIn a mixing glass half-filled with ice, combine all ingredients (except the champagne), stir briefly, and strain into a chilled champagne flute. Top off with champagne, and garnish with an orange or lemon twist.

Somewhat Disappointed

Going by reviews from expert tasters I had high expectations. I really wanted to like it, but for me it didn’t work.I’m still a noob at bourbon so my palette might be missing something, but I never felt a distinct flavor come through. As if the flavor was there, but bunched up at the gate unable to get to the starting line. The body seemed thin and the finish bitter and short.At the same time there wasn’t anything especially bad about it either. It did have a nice clean and balanced taste overall.

This is my least favorite so far

I have had about about 50 bourbons at this point and this hands down the worst one. Dry oak and some really off putting flavors. I do get a little bit of caramel on the nose and front end, but after that, just thin, some really drying oak and off flavors.

Top Notch For Standard Bottling!

This was my first time trying Old Forester. After hearing stellar things about their higher end bottlings, I decided to start with their standard version and go from there. I am glad I did.This high-rye whiskey is right up my alley as I am not a fan of heavily wheated whiskey. I drank it neat, with no water added, in a Glencairn glass. It doesn't have a complex long, lingering finish, but abundant spice with dried sweet fruit and dried citrus peel keep this young whiskey more than interesting enough. Bottled at 86 proof rather than the usual 80 for a "standard". What's not to like? A solid 5 stars at this price point.I look forward trying some of Old Foresters more upline offerings in the future. The standard version is a value champ for this style of whiskey ... MoreThis was my first time trying Old Forester. After hearing stellar things about their higher end bottlings, I decided to start with their standard version and go from there. I am glad I did.This high-rye whiskey is right up my alley as I am not a fan of heavily wheated whiskey. I drank it neat, with no water added, in a Glencairn glass. It doesn't have a complex long, lingering finish, but abundant spice with dried sweet fruit and dried citrus peel keep this young whiskey more than interesting enough. Bottled at 86 proof rather than the usual 80 for a "standard". What's not to like? A solid 5 stars at this price point.I look forward trying some of Old Foresters more upline offerings in the future. The standard version is a value champ for this style of whiskey and will definitely stay in my rotation.

Tried it based on other reviews. Disappointed

I've found an inexpensive scotch that I really like (not as good as more expensive options of course, but good to stick in a flask for a backyard fire), and I was looking for a bourbon to fit that same description. After reading quite a few reviews on different sub-$20 bottles, I decided that this had the most favorable reviews.Unfortunately I'm really disappointed. I almost always drink my whiskies neat, sipping on it over an evening. This has a strange sweetness to it, but not like a vanilla tone from aging, more of a fake liqueur-y taste. Not one of my friends found it enjoyable either (so it's not just me being snobbish lol). The rest of the bottle was relegated to being drowned in Coke just to finish it off.Summary: I guess if you want a bourbon to mix in ... MoreI've found an inexpensive scotch that I really like (not as good as more expensive options of course, but good to stick in a flask for a backyard fire), and I was looking for a bourbon to fit that same description. After reading quite a few reviews on different sub-$20 bottles, I decided that this had the most favorable reviews.Unfortunately I'm really disappointed. I almost always drink my whiskies neat, sipping on it over an evening. This has a strange sweetness to it, but not like a vanilla tone from aging, more of a fake liqueur-y taste. Not one of my friends found it enjoyable either (so it's not just me being snobbish lol). The rest of the bottle was relegated to being drowned in Coke just to finish it off.Summary: I guess if you want a bourbon to mix in Coke, or you're a fan of crown, jack etc, this might do just fine. I can't speak to that so much, because that's not how I enjoy whiskey. But as a neat sipper, do yourself a favor and step up $10(or maybe there's another sub-$20 bottle out there that I haven't discovered yet).

Unique profile

This one tastes much different than any other bourbon I've tried. You're either going to like it or it may not be for you depending on your palate. I get flavors of maple, slight vanilla, slight apple, and heavy oak. Over ice it's enjoyable.