Old Forester Statesman

Old Forester Statesman is a 95 proof non-age-stated Bourbon from Old Forester. It was released as a tie in to some movie (who cares) late last year. It is reportedly blended from 4-6 year old barrels from warmer parts of OF’s barrel warehouses. It’s received some pretty glowing reviews from figures in bourbon media, and the price was right, so I picked up a bottle.

This is a blind review that was done in a set of 21 blind bourbon (and rye) reviews, tasted in sets of 3 (on different days). None of the whiskies were revealed until all 21 were drunk. More information about this setup in the first review of the series.

1. Old Forester 1920
2. Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch 2017
3. Four Roses Single Barrel OESK (Brookline Liquor Mart pick)
4. Kentucky Owl Rye (batch 1)
5. Weller Antique 107
6. Rowan's Creek
7. Elijah Craig Barrel Proof #12 (136 proof)
8. Old Forester Statesman
9. Michter's 10yo Bourbon
10. Henry McKenna 10yo BiB
11. Weller 12
12. Smooth Ambler Old Scout 7yo
13. Rhetoric 23
14. George T. Stagg 2017
15. Four Roses Single Barrel OBSV (Loch & Key Pick)
16. Maker's 46
17. Jack Daniels Single Barrel Bottled in Bond
18. Little Book “The Easy” (2017)

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Distiller: Old Forester (Brown Foreman)
ABV: 47.5%
Age: NAS
Setting: Blind in a trio with Elijah Craig Barrel Proof #12 (136 proof) and Michter’s 10.

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Nose: Doughy funk, cardboard, moss, sand, a nice acetone quality. Deep, rich leather and barky notes. Wheat cracker.
Palate: Light and fruity, orange and spice. Little heat, quite restrained in general on the palate.
Finish: Finishes a bit anonymous, marmalade and caramel fudge if I search. Finishes drying, mildly astringent and embarrassed after a few seconds of weak effort.
Overall: This had a really nice nose, but died off to nothing on the palate. I have to give it points for the delicious nose, but it is one disappointing whisky to put in your mouth.
Guess: I picked up some wheat notes, and the low proof makes me guess Weller 12. Interesting, because I was wholly unimpressed by the Weller 12 nose when I tasted it unblind.
Rank: 4
Reveal: That was unexpected. I have enjoyed the odd pour of Statesman every now and then and thought it to be rather good. No idea what I was thinking with Weller.