Bourbon Review
Old Forester President's Choice
Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon — Distillery Exclusive
⚑ Placeholder review — tasting notes to be updated after the pour.
The Story
President's Choice is the top of the Old Forester mountain — a barrel-strength single barrel expression available only at the Old Forester Distillery on Whiskey Row in Louisville. The name goes back to the brand's early history when the company president would personally select barrels for the most discerning customers. The modern version carries that spirit forward: each bottle comes from a single barrel, bottled at full proof without chill filtration, and the barrel number is printed on the label. No two bottles are exactly alike, and that variation is entirely the point. If you find yourself on Whiskey Row, this is the one you leave with.
Nose, Palate & Finish
Nose
Barrel strength announces itself immediately but doesn't overwhelm — there's enough underlying richness to balance the proof. Dark caramel, dried cherry, toasted oak, and a distinctive Old Forester mint character amplified to something almost eucalyptus-adjacent. Give it five minutes and it opens into vanilla, leather, and a faint floral note. Complex from the first sniff.
Palate
Dense, oily, and deeply flavored. This is what barrel strength is supposed to feel like — a full, coating mouthfeel that delivers concentrated caramel, dark fruit, toasted grain, and a bold oak structure all at once. The rye spice is prominent and the whole thing is held together by that unmistakable Old Forester DNA. A splash of water is optional but recommended to see what opens up.
Finish
Very long. The warmth builds and holds, with layers of dark chocolate, dried fruit, and spice fading slowly over several minutes. This is the kind of finish that makes you put the glass down and just sit with it for a minute.