Old Forester Is Selling Its Very Own Cocktail Cherries — And We Got an Early Taste

(Photo: Old Forester)

On Tuesday, Kentucky whiskey brand Old Forester announced the release of its very own cocktail cherries, which join the Old Forester Cocktail Provisions lineup that also contains syrups and bitters.

Old Forester Cocktail Cherries are described by the brand as Amarena-style, steeped in a “luxurious” bourbon-infused syrup. Amarena cherries are traditionally grown in Bologna or Modena, Italy, and usually bottled in syrup.

“For over 154 years, Old Forester has been synonymous with quality and the art of American whisky,” Old Forester Master Taster Melissa Rift said in a news release. “Our new Cocktail Cherries are a natural extension of that commitment, providing enthusiasts with the finest ingredient to complete their Old Forester cocktails. “

The Old Forester Cocktail Cherries have a suggested retail price of $19.99 per 10-ounce bottle and are available across the U.S. at select retailers and liquor store. They’re also sold at the Old Forester Distillery in Louisville and online via Bourbon Barrel Foods.

This news comes on the heels of Old Forester’s annual President’s Choice Bourbon release, which for the first time in 2025 was joined by a rye whiskey. Click here to read our review of Old Forester President’s Choice Bourbon and here to read our review of Old Forester President’s Choice Rye.

What Do Old Forester Cocktail Cherries Taste Like?

Old Forester was kind enough to give me a taste of the cherries ahead of their release, and I gave them a whirl. The verdict: Old Forester Cocktail Cherries are very tasty. The cherry flavor is very sweet and a touch brighter than your typical Luxardo cherry. The sweet cherry notes are paired with a pleasant cinnamon flavor that presumably comes from the bourbon syrup. Old Forester’s cocktail cherries are very good, and I’ll happily be using them in my cocktails and atop desserts for the foreseeable future.