Old Forester
Old Forester
58.55%
NAS
Released on June 5, 2025, this is the inaugural release of Old Forester's President's Choice Rye Whiskey. Historically, the President's Choice Bourbon has been released as a distillery exclusive each year, but in 2025 for the first time it went national and is joined by this bottle, its rye counterpart. As a single barrel product, the proof and age will vary by the barrel, but each barrel is aged between seven and nine years and typically bottled between 110 and 125 proof (my sample was 117.1 proof). It has the same suggested retail price as the President's Choice Bourbon: $225.
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Delicious nose that balances sweetness with spice. Maple bark, big-time clove, cinnamon and powdered ginger on the nose, plus fluffy French toast and orange sherbet. After a while, a beautiful fruitier side shows itself: mainly cherry but some raisin and blackberry, as well.
Massive clove note continues onto the palate, joined by a perfect amount of oak, sassafras, cinnamon, a touch of peppermint and pine needles. There are some sweeter notes behind the spice, as well: a bit of butterscotch and cherry.
The finish is long and leans earthy and herbaceous: gentian root, anise, tobacco, leather and cinnamon, before giving way to a drop of vanilla extract and a bit of cherry.
A spectacular debut for Old Forester President's Choice Rye Whiskey. This should land squarely in Best of the Year rye whiskey conversations.
95
Disclosure: The producer provided this sample to review free of charge, and without expectation of review or rating.
