Old Forester has released another one time offering in its 117 Series of smaller experimental whiskeys. This time it’s a Bottled-in-Bond expression that highlights the unique flavor profile that a single season distillation can provide and adds the twist of extra aging—approximately 9 years. The Bottled in Bond Act of 1897 assures the consumer that the whiskey labeled “Bottled in Bond” was distilled in a single season, at a single distillery and aged in a US bonded warehouse. Matt and I sat down and tasted this whiskey and here are our tasting notes.
Old Forester The 117 Series Bottled In Bond Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Proof: 100
Age: 9 years old
Nose:
- Mike: Caramel, bananas, dates, allspice, nutmeg and oak wood.
- Matt: Caramel, Bananas Foster, oak and baking spices.
Taste:
- Mike: Caramel, dates, cinnamon, white pepper and oak tannins. Tasted with a dried cranberry brings out the dates and cherries and enhances the tannins. Tasted with a pecan brings out citrus notes and oak.
- Matt: Oak, caramel and black cherries. The dried cranberry emphasized cherry notes, oak and hot pepper jelly. The pecan brought out notes of cocoa, oak and smoked pipe tobacco.
Finish:
- Mike: Lots of oak tannins and spice. The dried cranberry made the finish very tannic and dry. The pecan made the finish very oaky and tannic.
- Matt: Tobacco, cigars and oak. The dried cranberry brought out cherry notes and enhanced the oak. The pecan brought out baking spices, cocoa and tobacco.
I would pair this Bourbon with a Rocky Patel Decade Torpedo cigar. The full bodied cigar has notes of cream, toffee and vanilla that will balance the oak tannins of the whiskey.
Photos Courtesy of Rosemary Miller