Old Forester The 117 Series: Scotch Cask Finish

Old Forester has a mortal flaw, and it's the insane off putting bite and mineral notes that come through on their CS versions. This isn't CS...so we're good right? Unless this is as young as like the 20-30 dollar stuff! Nose - yep, young old forester. BUT, it's also rich and full of amazing smells. 93 proof? How? This smells like unrefined 110 proof whiskey with some intense sweatness and finishing! Oh you want notes? Banana's, red fruits, brown sugar, runt flavored marshmellows, and old forest 100 poured over that. Taste - stinging and biting. But it's unrefined grain alcohol notes. But then sugar coated and rich sugars, red fruits, chocolate, brown sugar, dark banana bread, there's a malt note....it's rich, full of flavor, mouth coating. And exceptional experience ruined by harsh alcohol or an exceptional experience with unrefined notes that you'll get past after a few sips? It's kinda both and that's a problem. To me this is a bourbon that you kinda need to try just because it's really unique, but it's such a classic example of how young old forest is harsh as hell to drink. But god it's got so much flavor. This drinks like CS bourbon, but doesn't take water like it...the harshness isn't hidden. But damn it's got a nice flavor. OK score - and lets talk about it. Quality - this is way below average. It drinks like cheap bourbon. Presentation in the glass - this is not about the bottle or color but how you experience things. And here it's exceptionally rich, flavorful, nose is bold...it's a huge whisky despite the proof. Flavors - really nice, if you get past bad alcohol notes So...it's both way way better than an average pour and way worse. It's got a mix of mixer quality experience and 200 dollar bottle flavor and depth. I'm giving it a 2.0, which is my average pour. i'm sorry, I know many will have no issue with these alcohol notes but I can't get past them. And they're keeping me from harping on the more youthful notes that they let get into this one as well. On sale for 60 for a 375. I weirdly despite the negative review would recommend a bar pour at a fair price, and I'd strongly recommend it. This is what this series should be about. Testing things out, this was a bad test. But it's got huge potential.

8.4/10 Sweet Old Forester, earthy, barley