There were a lot of social media posts that featured the color green on the Old Forester feeds in the weeks leading up to January 15th, 2019. Posts that teased that something new was coming. Whiskey lovers, being the smart, attractive and sophisticated people that they are, soon guessed that all that green could only mean one thing: Rye.
Somewhere along the line green became a default color for Rye whiskey. And although not all ryes use green in their labels, a staggering number do. Currently it is in use on Rye whiskeys from Wild Turkey, Russel’s Reserve, Bulleit, Jim Beam, Woodford Reserve, Jack Daniel’s, Angel’s Envy, Michter’s, Knob, Creek, Pikesville, George Dickel, Balcones, Rabbit Hole, Dad’s Hat, Peerless, Filibuster, Ezra Brooks, and…I stopped looking when I hit page five of the Total Wine website. Needless to say, in at least a few minds, green started meaning rye. And honestly it kinda makes sense. I mean many ryes have prominent mint and dill notes. Two things that are very green.
So when the announcement of a new Old Forester Rye showed up, I wasn’t terribly surprised. Their campaign was cute and clever and it helped spark a real interest in the product with me. I love rye whiskey. Especially when I read that the suggested price was going to be $23 per bottle. That price was icing on the cake. You guys know that when it comes to whiskey, I am a big fan of it being affordable. Affordable and tasty is even better. And I didn’t have to wait long after that announcement to find a bottle of Old Forester Rye sitting on the shelf of my corner liquor store. You can bet that bottle came home with me.
Old Forester Rye
Purchase Info: $24.99 for a 750 mL bottle at Viking Liquor Barrel, Prior Lake, MN
Details: 50% ABV. Mashbill: 65% Rye, 20% Malted Barley, 15% Corn
Nose: Mint, almond, allspice and cardamom.
Mouth: Minty and spicy with cardamom, nutmeg and honey.
Finish: Minty and of medium length. Lingering baking spice and mint.
Thoughts: This has now become my new house rye. I plan to have this on hand all the time. It has a great price, it works well in cocktails and I’ve been enjoying it neat. The flavor profile sort of splits the difference between a typical Kentucky-style “barely legal” rye and the MGP-style 95% rye. It replaced my “favorite rye this week” as my favorite rye, mostly because it is better, is premade and I don’t have to buy two bottles to get it.
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