Caramel | Burnt oak | Bananas Foster | Medicinal & potent

Dark chocolate | Rye spice | Brown sugar | Black pepper | Heat

Rush of spice | Cocoa | Caramel | Leather | Dry | Slightly tannic | Medium length

150 barrels were set aside for Old Forester’s 150th Anniversary release, which were divided into three unique batches intended to honor George Garvin Brown’s process of batching from the three original distilleries. The bourbon in review is from batch 03, the highest proof of the three batches. The bourbon offers a fairly complex sip without a particular highlight of any flavor, instead providing a wide array of flavors in relative balance. However, it drinks a bit hot which detracts from the overall experience.

The concept of three distinct batches drawn from the 150 barrels, or really 147 as 3 of the barrels were completely lost to the Angel’s Share, is a fascinating one and makes me wish I could compare them. Unfortunately, the price makes that a challenge at $150 (notice a number trend here?), and without an age statement it’s not entirely clear how different the bourbon within the bottles is relative to some of Old Forester’s other releases. With that being said, each batch’s relatively small barrel count, its throwback amber bottle and tube, and one-off nature undoubtedly makes this a collector’s item.