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A Review of Old Forester 1897 Bottled in Bond

 
Review by Mark Pringle |
Published on:

77 General Review of Old Forester 1897 Bottled in Bond

It’s so strange that this is my first review of Old Forester 1897 Bottled in Bond. I’ve had this bottle for a while, and I thought I had reviewed it previously, but I guess I was wrong. 

Rating: 77

Nose
77
Palate
75
Finish
78
Uniqueness
77
Value
77

Ratings breakdown based on a 100 point scale.

  • 90-100 Exceptional
  • 80-89 Very Good
  • 70-79 Average
  • 60-69 Below Average
  • 50-60 Drain Pour

Detailed Tasting Notes

Nose Review - Rating: 77

As soon as I opened the bottle there was a burst of fruitiness in the air with a little bit of caramel layer below the fruit. This was before I poured the bourbon in the glass.

Once the bourbon was in the glass, and I began to nose it, there was the traditional Brown-Forman caramel and vanilla aroma. However, with OF 1897, those aromas are very mild and contain a splash of ethanol. After sitting in the glass for a moment, a mildly spicy aroma reveals itself. As you begin to drink 1870, the spice becomes more dominant on the nose while the fruitiness takes a back seat. After I finished the 1st ounce and poured another one, the caramel was more pronounced on the nose. It was so different than the initial pour.

Palate Review - Rating: 75

As soon as the bourbon touches your tongue, it is spicy but quickly following the spice is a tad bit of sweetness that seems typical of the Brown-Forman profile. Spicy black pepper and oak are in the mid-palate. Unfortunately, the viscosity is not what you would expect, especially if you are used to drinking Old Forester 1910 and 1920.

Finish Review - Rating: 78

The finish is medium length, with oak, leather, and peppery spice being the primary flavors. I am getting much more pepper and oak on the finish than on the palate.

Uniqueness Review - Rating: 77

The Brown-Forman profile is so distinct and yet unique. However, this bourbon doesn't separate itself from comparable bourbons.

Value Review - Rating: 77

The price of this is often $5 below 1910 and 1920.

Author: Mark Pringle
Smell IS taste. I am just a guy who has been hit with the bourbon bug and who has come to the conclusion that life is too short to drink average tasting bourbons. Go Gators!
My External Website (External Website Opens in New Window)

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