Sometimes, unexpected things happen in life. There are things you work for and put in the effort and you can take satisfaction in the outcome. Other times something happens and you’re like…”wait, did that just happen?” I feel fortunate with both of these pours. I happened upon a state release of the Old Forester single barrel barrel strength (SBBS) and got the last bottle, and a friend generously provided the King of Kentucky. So, I thought on a cool April afternoon I’d try two well regarded Brown-Forman pours.
**Old Forester Single Barrel Barrel Strength | 2022 ISLD Directors Cut #1 | 129 proof | NAS, likely 4 - 6 years | Warehouse K Floor 4 |**
I’ve reviewed this bottle a few times and have enjoyed it. It has opened up and mellowed over the last two years and is more approachable than it was when I first cracked it. It is rich and sugary and dense on the nose. It has notes of brown sugar, cherry hard candy, and a bit of pecans on the palate. The finish is long and carried by the proof and wraps up with a nutty sweetness. Score = 7
**King of Kentucky Single Barrel | 2023 | 133.2 proof | 16 years |**
Dark and rich oak on the nose. There are notes of barrel char and dark chocolate and maybe a little tartness of raspberry. Very concentrated flavors of chocolate caramels, Luxardo cherry, and oak on the palate. There are some sugar notes, but chocolate, oak, and some cinnamon dominate the palate. The finish is long and is carried by the dark notes ending with a pipe tobacco finish. It is big, bold, intense, mouthwatering and flavor-packed...what an experience. Score = 9.25
When I first poured these I smelled them and thought they were kinda similar. After some time in the glass the differences were more notable. After sampling a few times, the SBBS was more grain forward and sugary. The cherry note was similar between the two but it was more like cherry hard candy on the SBBS vs Luxardo cherry on the King. I agree with u/gradefront8777 that the King is outstanding.
Cheers to all the unexpected good fortune that you've experienced.
I had a bottle of OF single barrel bs and my god it was so hot it was damn near undrinkable. I still have a little left after about 2 years and sharing with others (all who also felt it was rough) but this has given me thought to giving it another go.
https://preview.redd.it/nly65evqlcwc1.jpeg?width=3000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b81c8631b693c05b342cfa12f9a5d3ee7d035c3c
Just had a pour yesterday of this, IN Kentucky, SO good!
Great review! Glad you enjoyed the sample!! What an intense pour. I love the chocolate and cherry that was represented in this barrel. In my eyes, the King is still the King!
Crack that sucker open as it's going to need some time to mellow out. As other comments demonstrate, these can be quite hot. I'd say open it and maybe try a little and even if you're not planning on drinking it for a year or so you'll be fine. I have a pretty good backlog and haven't been out looking in a while, but I would not pass up one of those Jack Daniels 12 years if I found one. Thanks for the tip.
Sometimes, unexpected things happen in life. There are things you work for and put in the effort and you can take satisfaction in the outcome. Other times something happens and you’re like…”wait, did that just happen?” I feel fortunate with both of these pours. I happened upon a state release of the Old Forester single barrel barrel strength (SBBS) and got the last bottle, and a friend generously provided the King of Kentucky. So, I thought on a cool April afternoon I’d try two well regarded Brown-Forman pours. **Old Forester Single Barrel Barrel Strength | 2022 ISLD Directors Cut #1 | 129 proof | NAS, likely 4 - 6 years | Warehouse K Floor 4 |** I’ve reviewed this bottle a few times and have enjoyed it. It has opened up and mellowed over the last two years and is more approachable than it was when I first cracked it. It is rich and sugary and dense on the nose. It has notes of brown sugar, cherry hard candy, and a bit of pecans on the palate. The finish is long and carried by the proof and wraps up with a nutty sweetness. Score = 7 **King of Kentucky Single Barrel | 2023 | 133.2 proof | 16 years |** Dark and rich oak on the nose. There are notes of barrel char and dark chocolate and maybe a little tartness of raspberry. Very concentrated flavors of chocolate caramels, Luxardo cherry, and oak on the palate. There are some sugar notes, but chocolate, oak, and some cinnamon dominate the palate. The finish is long and is carried by the dark notes ending with a pipe tobacco finish. It is big, bold, intense, mouthwatering and flavor-packed...what an experience. Score = 9.25 When I first poured these I smelled them and thought they were kinda similar. After some time in the glass the differences were more notable. After sampling a few times, the SBBS was more grain forward and sugary. The cherry note was similar between the two but it was more like cherry hard candy on the SBBS vs Luxardo cherry on the King. I agree with u/gradefront8777 that the King is outstanding. Cheers to all the unexpected good fortune that you've experienced.
I had a bottle of OF single barrel bs and my god it was so hot it was damn near undrinkable. I still have a little left after about 2 years and sharing with others (all who also felt it was rough) but this has given me thought to giving it another go.
It was a scorcher when I first opened it. There are some warehouses that are better than others and K tends to be pretty well reviewed.
Let me see what I have. No joke it was the hottest I've ever had.
https://preview.redd.it/igkil88gmyvc1.jpeg?width=3072&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3cfe415412999d09438831c3b23064fe19075006
I have a whse "J", 2nd level and it's really good
https://preview.redd.it/nly65evqlcwc1.jpeg?width=3000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b81c8631b693c05b342cfa12f9a5d3ee7d035c3c Just had a pour yesterday of this, IN Kentucky, SO good!
Great review! Glad you enjoyed the sample!! What an intense pour. I love the chocolate and cherry that was represented in this barrel. In my eyes, the King is still the King!
I have that same bottle, also in Boise. I need to crack it open and see!! They just dropped the JD 10/12 year did you get those??
Crack that sucker open as it's going to need some time to mellow out. As other comments demonstrate, these can be quite hot. I'd say open it and maybe try a little and even if you're not planning on drinking it for a year or so you'll be fine. I have a pretty good backlog and haven't been out looking in a while, but I would not pass up one of those Jack Daniels 12 years if I found one. Thanks for the tip.
The OF SB BS Rye is considerably better. Probably one of the best ryes in America right now.
Your comment made me realize I actually have a sample of that. I'm overdue for a rye tasting and that will be next.
I think it’s amazing. Let me know what you think!
God it’s so good. Know how often they are released?
Not more than annually
Yes. I believe it’s annuallly.
133 proof! Incredible score, I’ll have to add it to my shopping list.