Excellent bourbon for the price

Old Forrester: the original bartenders handshake, or the Kentucky handshake, which ever you prefer to call it. This is the best, and original bourbon of the United States. The old is Brandon existence. You cannot find a better bottle of bourbon to keep on your back bar, that you don’t have to cringe when people mix with Coke. Their higher tears are even better, especially if you can magically get your hands on a bottle of birthday bourbon. Makes a great old-fashioned, Manhattan, just about anything you can throw at it, it will stand up to. If you’re looking for a nice spicy cake they also make a Rye that’s around the same price point

This is quintessential Kentucky Bourbon. Old Forester came on to the scene as America’s FIRST bottled bourbon, and continued all the way through prohibition. I love the almost aggressiveness on the palate. This is not for the faint of heart, but for someone who is looking for their bourbon to not be overshadowed by any mixers. It is fantastic to drink on the rocks (preferably no more than three), or mixed. Would highly recommend. 

Old Forester does a great job with their bourbon. Their prohibition style is my favorite for old fashioned’s. This one does great in cocktails, for a reasonable price. I love them in my bourbon sours, and old fashioned’s as well. If you want an absolutely amazing pre-prohibition style Old Fashioned check out their Prohibition bottle.

An affordable everyday drink. We love all Old Forester Bourbons and love this one for Old Fashions as well as Apple brown Bettys. The citrus and vanilla notes pair well in cocktails with a smooth finish rather than the burn of most Bourbons. You do not lose the quality from any bourbon from this company, including this 86 proof!

My go-to bourbon on all occasions. Whether it's shooting it back, drinking it neat, or with a splash of cola. My favorite and always my first choice. 

Delicious bourbon for the money. Old forester is tricky because there is such a quality gap between their best and worst. Wouldn’t recommend this to drink neat but goes quite well with ice or in a whiskey sour. Old forester 1920 is still the best

I can see how Old Forester 86 would be polarizing. It has a strong cherry cough drop note that might turn some people off, but I find it enjoyable, even fun. This is when the importance of bourbon labeling comes in. Because this is a "straight bourbon," it does not have any flavoring or additives.

I give 4 stars to the 86 proof variant, because it's not the best Old Forester but even their "worst" isn't something to scoff at. It's important to note that there is huge variation in the Old Forester bourbon line. It's important to try each and to develop a better understanding of your palate and your flavor profile. I personally prefer the Old Forester 1920 bourbon over most other variants, because you get a rich medley of flavors from chocolate to cherry to a hint of vanilla, without that lingering overtone that sometimes hurts a solid bourbon. If you're lucky, you'll find Old Forester Birthday Bourbon, which is a magical but ultimately rare being to find in the wild.

This is an essential bar element! It’s not for the novice, it’s price point is approachable, and it blows away the competition in that set. Not to mention it’s quite the story of distillation!