Old Forester Classic 86 Proof

Ah, Old Forester classic. Boy this brings be back to a simpler time in my life. I've enjoyed this bourbon for a while and at typical, noisy dive bars ( or really any bar that doesn't tout itself as a "whiskey bar" ) there are a few go to selections I know I can count on. This, Makers Mark, Buffalo Trace, Four Roses, Woodford Reserve. No matter how basic the selection is, every bar is bound to have at LEAST one of those. But I've never actually wrote a proper taste on it. And it sure deserves one. The nose contains a lot of classic bourbon smell but is unique in its own right. Sweet corn syrup and slightly burned caramel carry the rest of the scents which include a little bit of brown sugar, some charred oak barrel and just the faintest kiss of apricots. The palate opens innocently and very sweet. That corn syrup and caramel mix well to kick things off. The balance of corn syrup to other flavors here meshes much better than Four Roses which I find leans heavily into the realm of sweetened corn syrup. A little bit of dried apricot sweetness ushers in the mid taste which is spicier and drier than the front. Tannic oak and leather mingle with orange pith. The spiciness and dryness pull through to the finish, leaning in the direction of dry. That tannic oak stays, but brings with it some charred sugar, a little bit of tongue tingling black pepper and the zesty and bitter orange pith stays until the end. Yeah, this one is a solid bourbon. For the price point, this classic can be had any which way you choose and it would do well in any setting. In the "budget bourbon" segment, I think this is second only to Buffalo Trace but is much easier to find and at a much more affordable price point.

I'm on a mission to find really good, relatively low proof bourbons to add to my regular lineup. I love those higher proof yearly releases, but I can't drink them as regularly, and as much, as I want. So... First up is Old Forester 86. I've had my eye on it for a while, but you know how it is.... Color: Medium Copper-Amber Nose: Generally classic sweet Bourbon nose with caramel and hints of cola(!). Palate (drank with one ice cube): The mouthfeel is kinda light, but not wimpy, mind you. The cola from the nose returns — but as cherry cola!. I'll go even further snd say, Black Forest cake. It's not too sweet, not too spicy. As it's going down, you get a slight chest hug that fades quickly. This is not "complex" by the farthest stretch. But it's damn good, and I place it on par with other similarly -priced bottles like Old Granddad BiB, and Wild Turkey 101. Finish: Short with mild sugary leather. Out of the Old Forester stable, I've had the 1897, 1910, 1920... and now this. I don't think you can compare those "Whiskey Row" expressions with what is considered their "entry level" bottle. But for the price and overall flavor, it has won a spot on my bottom shelf. I will buy again.

More of a muted scent on the nose, not getting a ton of sweetness and more of a leathery and minty scent like the new car smell with a hanging car freshener or like a diluted pine sol. On the palate it lands a bit flat for me up-front, I am getting a little baking spice note like a light cinnamon. The mouthfeel is a bit too watery for me. The finish is not blowing me away either as it has a bit of a rye bite to it but fades relatively quickly. Overall a good bourbon for those not into higher proof optins and can be a nice choice as a mixer in cocktails as it has that quintessential bourbon flavor.

After finding and enjoying banana bread notes in Larceny, I searched for other inexpensive whiskeys with banana bread notes. Old Forester 86 did not disappoint. I get things like banana bread and cherries on the nose, and I can really hone in on banana bread on the palate. Midway through the palate phase, I get a slight, but definitely tolerable, kick from the rye in here. This is absolutely a keeper in my bar. For an entry-level and low-cost bourbon, this is crazy good and an excellent bang for my buck.

Bourbon and mild apricot sweetened aroma. As mentioned by others, I do get that overall floral category in the flavor. While it does have the traditional Bourbon taste, thankfully, for me, I don't get any rye flavors! It does have a sweetness to it, like candied orange. I think I get some baking spice as well. While certainty not the definition of smooth, it goes down smoothly enough to fit in that category. Rating based on neat sipping.

Firmly in the solid value range. The nose is predominantly an oaky smell with a tinge of spice in there with a bit of a pine scent as well. The spice cones through a bit more on the taste, and has a bit of a harsher bite on the finish. A touch of sweetness comes through as it sits on the tongue. This is a pretty standard whiskey and nothing special, but at its price it is a solid choice.