A rye’s always a fun review in the lounge as it’s often accompanied by one of our favorite cocktails – and Old Fashioned, or as we like to call “The Litmus Test for Bars and Those Who Tend Them.” No in our minds when one asks for an ol’ fashioned you should be greeted with 1 question which is – which whiskey? The acceptable replies being a named bottle that you’ve already spotted, rye, or top-shelf rye.
When you respond with Rye that means it’s up to either the existing cocktail list (if the bar has one) or the well rye that would be used in a cocktail, meaning that while you should be free to name a spirit – what they give you is the test of the bar. How well the cocktail is made is then the test for the bartender, although the bar can have its own constraints on them. Why all this jabber – well because if you’re making one at home, you’ve found a friend in Old Forester.
What they Say: “Front: This whisky is distilled by us only, and we are responsible for its richness and fine quality. Its elegant flavor is solely due to original fineness developed with care. There is nothing better in the market.
Back: In 1940 my great-grandfather, Owsley Brown, acquired the Old Kentucky Distillery and along with it, the Normandy Rye Whiskey brand. Afte a 40+ year absence, I am proud to reintroduce this historic Rye recipe which features our proprietary yeast, along with a mash bill of 65% Rye, 20% Malted Barley and 15% Corn, creating a unique, spicy, and floral member of the Old Forester family.”
Taste: 5.5 – It is certainly a unique initial taste, and despite our misgivings with that term, we understand why floral was used here as the spices feel almost gin-like,
Aftertaste: 6.0 – We were going to lament about how this feels less like a rye, and more like a hot bourbon, but then we saw the 100 proof, and well – yeah. It sort of what you’d expect.
Burn/Smooth: 4.0 – The smoke and fire here mean this is by no measure a smooth dram. It’s not horrible, but fuck you know it’s some overproof whiskey alright.
Aroma: 6.5 – That is dropkick rye flavor to the nostrils. It is certainly delicious enough though.
Honesty: 5.0 – They have a bit too much wank, which combined with this being a recent spirit – revived – has too much to bring forward, and yet shows too little. Overall it’s just okay.
Mixability: 6.33
W/ Rocks: 5.5 – That’s not made anything better, it’s just slightly colder.
Whiskey and Coke: 6.5 – That is a nice ‘with cola’ drink, so despite it being not the best, it’s still quite good.
Old Fashioned: 7.0 – So does this do well in the place that it’s meant too? The answer is an emphatic yes. There are still many issues here, and make sure you’ve not gone too far with the bitters – but yes. This would be a delight to get as a cocktail ordered in a fancy bar.
Value: 6.5 – While this is not the cheapest or on the very cheap side, it’s certainly not pricey. The other main factor being that this is less about price and more about getting what you paid for said price, of which this handles quite well.
Google Shop Average: $27
Website: https://www.oldforester.com/
Reviewer Scores:
BuffaloJern: 6.5
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Metric Score: 39.83/70 |+| Metric Average: 5.69 |+| Reviewer Average: 6.5
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Final Thoughts: Because while this is not top-shelf, it’s quite high on the shelf it sits amongst its peers and that makes it mighty. Sure there are some complaints and it’d never be used elsewhere making it a little bit of a 1-trick pony, but when you paid for the trick it’s better than having it actually do the damn thing instead of making a balloon animal.
