Bourbon Review
Old Forester President's Choice
Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon — Distillery Exclusive
The Story
President's Choice is as high as Old Forester goes — a barrel-strength single barrel bottle you can only get at the distillery on Whiskey Row in Louisville. The name goes back to when the company president personally picked barrels for the best customers. Same idea today: single barrel, full proof, no chill filtration, barrel number right on the label. No two bottles taste the same, and that's the whole point. If you're ever in Louisville, this is the one to bring home.
Nose, Palate & Finish
Nose
Strong, but not punishing — there's enough going on underneath to balance the proof. Dark caramel, dried cherry, oak, and that Old Forester mint thing turned way up. Give it a few minutes and more comes out: vanilla, leather, a little floral note.
Palate
Thick, oily, a lot going on. Full barrel strength means a heavy, coating mouthfeel — caramel, dark fruit, toasted grain, real oak backbone, all hitting at once. Rye spice is loud here.
Finish
Very long. The warmth just sits there, and dark chocolate, dried fruit, and spice keep fading in slowly over several minutes. The kind of finish that makes you put the glass down and just wait it out.