Old Forester 1897 Bottled in Bond is crafted to honor a watershed moment in bourbon history – the U.S. Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897. This expression follows the Bottled in Bond standards that whisky must be aged in a federally bonded warehouse for at least four years, the product of one distillation season, one distiller and from one distillery and bottled at 100 Proof. The concept behind these regulations – the idea of ‘sealed in quality’ – was something Old Forester introduced in 1870, as America’s First Bottled Bourbon.
Old Forester
Appearance
I’d say this is a touch darker than the 1870 bottling, so just a shade darker than mid gold. Again a nice thick swirl line and medium thick legs.#TheWhiskeyChaps
Nose
I initially thought this was sweeter on the nose, perhaps it is, and there’s definitely a perfume feel about it, and quite floral for me. Again I’m getting the faint sulphur note I got in the 1870, it’s very faint but in there. #TheWhiskeyChaps
I’m getting blackcurrants now perhaps a dark fruit strudel with vanilla custard, nice and hot. There’s orange zest here too, and t is sweetening up more with time now #TheWhiskeyChaps
Palate
Now the palate is definitely sweeter, it’s also quite the spice bomb too 🥵. So many sweet fruits here, a bag of Starburst sweets mixed with cinnamon gobstoppers, ginger root, blackcurrants, grapefruit sand cranberries, and a little drying.#TheWhiskeyChaps
A much better mouthfeel compared to the 1870, nice and luxurious. This is far more balanced and ‘complete’ on the palate. Rich caramel, buttered toast, honey roasted nuts and some black pepper. I like this #thewhiskeychaps
— Whisk(e)y Chap 🏴🥃 (@whiskeychap) January 20, 2022
Finish
Longer than the 1870, long side of medium, but the spices really do linger with this one, becoming chest warming rather than spice bomb, very nice. #TheWhiskeyChaps
My thoughts
Yes i really enjoyed this one, a step up from the 1870 for me, more flavour, more depth, better married also in my humble opinion. A real mix of fruit sweetness and spices, it works rather well. @whiskeychap said it was more “complete”, and i have to agree with him to be honest. It’s a super dram that i’d definitely have a bottle of in my cupboard.
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