90 proof; no age statement
Suggested retail price: $44.99/750ml
The story: Founded in 1870, Brown-Forman is one of the largest American-owned spirits and wine companies. Old Forester 1870 Original Batch Bourbon is the first in a planned permanent line extension of the Old Forester Bourbon. This bourbon is bottled at 90 proof and emulates founder George Garvin Brown’s original recipe selection of the Old Forester Bourbon as it was produced in 1870.
Aroma: Light, fruity, floral character, some oak
Taste: Starts out light, but the spice grows across the palate, ending with a long, spicy, warm finish redolent of nutmeg and cinnamon. More tannin than I expected, leaving a slight pucker.
Verdict: The Original Batch has a lot going for it – great nose, long finish – but tasted side-by-side, I have to say I prefer Old Forester Signature, which goes down smoother despite its higher proof. It brings a lot of dried fruit and none of the tannic bitterness that I found in the Original Batch.