Old Forester Single Barrel Rye Barrel Proof

Warehouse L; Floor 1 64.3% abv; 128.6 proof Open 2 months Nose - Gingerbread, clove, black pepper, spruce tip, toffee, grilled peach, medium oak, and strong ethanol. This is easily the best part. Palate - Dry grain, dry baking spices, rye bread, gingerbread, maple sugar, tobacco leaf, and lemon custard. Finish is long with dry, hot grain, tannic oak, cinnamon powder, clove, pine, lemon peel, and hot ethanol. The final nail in the coffin for Old Forester single barrel barrel strength. I was already out on the blue label, but I was shocked to find this in my preferred liquor store . It was barely over MSRP and plenty of bottles available. YouTubers raved over this when it was first released, but I have only seen it in the wild a couple of times marked up severely. I couldn't pass it up. It turns out, this is not very good. I've said this with the bourbon as well, but the difference here is even greater. The Jack Daniel's barrel proof rye is significantly better than this for $20 less. This is flat and muted. All burn and little flavor.

128.7 proof Nose is definitely expressive; graham cracker, rye spice, wintergreen, fennel, clove, and sandalwood. Ethanol is a little pesky but not bad given the proof. Palate offers creme brûlée, black pepper, candied orange peel, cola, clove, ginger, and tobacco leaf. Sweeter than the nose would indicate but not a lot of subtlety here; the flavors punch you in the face and steal your wallet. Finish of toasted oak, hot spearmint, hot cinnamon, barrel char, red pepper flakes, and dry rye cracker. Peppery heat lingers after everything fades, adding length to the finish. Mouthfeel is fantastic; chewy and unctuous, and supports the flavor profile perfectly. This is a bold “rye lovers” rye. Since I am a rye lover, I dig it. But let’s be clear; it’s a lot to handle and a bit challenging at times. At $89.99, would consider buying again but only if I didn’t have a harsher-style whiskey in my cabinet as you have to be in the mood for this one.

Picked this up in April at Jackalope Liquor, while passing through Fruita, CO. Paid a premium for this jackalope bottle... but worth it. Single barrel, barrel strength rye, from Warehouse I, Floor 3, 129.7 proof. Tasting neat. Mahogany color and strong coating legs in the glass. Nose is grassy spicy, cherry fruit, light caramel corn. In the mouth, burnt brown sugar, char oak, tannic leather, and dry baking spices. Oily mouthfeel, hint of ethanol. Finish continues the spicy, oaky, burnt sugar. Tingling grassy mint and dark fruit sweetness linger a long long time. An ice cube softens the aggressive flavors and lets the caramel corn sweetness emerge. Really rich, chewy, big 64.85 ABV single barrel, barrel strength rye Louisville whisky. Excellent bottle.

This is 127.3 proof, warehouse G, floor 3 Nose- ligonberry syrup, cherry cough drop, with a touch of nutmeg. After sitting I get milk chocolate on the nose too. Really can catch that if you nose the empty glass. Palate- deliciously rich and coating. The berry basket theme continues, but now with some heat and spice. Clove comes in with a hint of vanilla beans and dry oak. Finish- Drinks way below the proof. Goes out on a menthol cherry cough drop note. Dangerously good rye here. Overall- quite excellent. This takes the standard bottle and elevates it ×4 in its richness, complexity, balance, and finish. Bourbon drinkers will even embrace this rye. Very nicely done. It is a complete winner for me.

This is an amazing pour. Im not a huge Rye fan, but this is damn good. Nose: • Bold rye spice up front (cinnamon, nutmeg, black pepper) • Dark brown sugar, caramelized oak • Hints of cherry cola and toasted vanilla Palate: • Spice bomb on entry • Waves of toffee, molasses, and caramel • Dark fruit (cherry, plum, raisin) • Rich oak and char Finish: • Long, warming, and spicy — heavy baking spice, cocoa powder, toasted oak • Lingering pepper tingle with a sweet caramel coating

Nose: changed after opening up, lots of caramel and almost sweet. Pallet: No 95/5 and no pine. Some overall spice with a little heat. Dry. Finish: Before a touch of water it was hot, now it’s just a little heat and then it’s gone but the pallet does linger. Started with no water but didn’t get much out of it, really opened up with a touch of water. I get a dryness if i drink to much Blantons, if Blanton was a rye, it would be a lot like this.