Every Old Forester Bourbon, Ranked

There is no doubt that Old Forester is one of the best bourbon brands in existence. The distillery has a storied history and boasts many fantastic expressions in its lineup. While that lineup has great strength, some whiskeys are better than others. That's why we want to rank every Old Forester bourbon to see which one comes out on top. However, we're not strictly sticking to bourbon — we're also including some of its other expressions, including rye whiskey.

There are currently 17 expressions in this lineup, and we're ranking them all. That means we have excluded any retired series or old limited editions that are no longer available. We have personal tasting experience with most of these whiskeys, so we feel it should be a fair assessment. However, we aren't just taking taste into account. Affordability and availability also affect our ranking, as we think that's important to consider. With that in mind, let's journey through everything this great brand offers.

Old Forester and King Ranch are two iconic American brands, and they've combined to make a unique expression. What makes Old Forester King Ranch different is that it's matured in heavily charred barrels and then finished through charcoal filtration. That filtration is done through mesquite charcoal from trees harvested at King Ranch. This is very similar to the Lincoln County Process used to differentiate Tennessee whiskey from that made in Kentucky.

Sadly, this is only available directly in Texas, but it can be found on secondary markets. Coming at 105 proof, there are many different fruits on the nose and a nice array of sweeter smells. The charcoal filtration helps to make it smooth and mellow, but it still has depth. Earthy flavors dominate the palate, with tobacco, oak, and nuts especially prominent. Overall, it's a good but not great whiskey, and its high price and lack of availability means it gets a low ranking here.

If the previous expression in our list had a high proof, this one takes it to a whole new level. The exact proof will change from one barrel to the next, but it generally sits in the 130 region. As the name suggests, this whiskey is unique for a couple of reasons. It's bottled from just one barrel, and the barrel proof means no water has been added once the whiskey has been dumped. This makes Old Forester Single Barrel Barrel Strength an intense experience for even seasoned bourbon enthusiasts.

Bottled at its natural and undiluted strength, it showcases the full force of its rich flavors. With a deep mahogany appearance, the nose is a bold combination of caramel, dark chocolate, and oak. The palate is powerful, with molasses and spice being quite dominant, even with a little water added. While intense, it lacks the complexity you'd hope for from a single-barrel bourbon, so we didn't think it could rank any higher.

This is our first insight into how Old Forester likes to market many of its bourbons. Many of them have a historic date, with 1870 here paying homage to the year Old Forester was created. These dated expressions form its Whiskey Row series, with the 1870 version celebrating how the company used to make whiskey. Back then, founder George Garvin Brown batched barrels from three separate distilleries to make a smooth blended whiskey.

Old Forester now makes all its products, but in tribute to this old practice, 1870 is made from barrels matured in three different warehouses. This process creates a well-balanced fusion of sweetness and complexity. It's quite a spicy bourbon with a warmth starting on the nose and continuing through to the finish. A touch of fruits and biscuits gives it plenty of flavor. Undoubtedly, it's a good whiskey, but we think it's the weakest of the Whiskey Row series.

We have a soft spot for affordable bourbons offering fantastic value. Old Forester 86 is undoubtedly one of them. At 86 proof, it's one of the best low-proof bourbons you can buy and is ideal for those looking for something balanced and approachable. This can be both an everyday bourbon for an enthusiast or a perfect entry point for a beginner. Its versatility is part of what makes this a great bourbon.

There isn't anything particularly mind-blowing about the tasting notes. Vanilla and toffee sit prominently on the palate, along with more faint notes of oak, spice, and orange. It doesn't go beyond the traditional bourbon flavor but it does the basics very well. The 86 proof brings a comforting warmth without overwhelming the senses. The finish is impressively long for a budget-friendly bourbon. Old Forester 86 is a reliable and versatile bourbon that captures the essence of the brand's legacy in every sip.

The Old Forester rye whiskey is a little better than the aforementioned standard rye listed above. An unfiltered single barrel offered at barrel strength, this is the perfect expression for those who want to sample the unadulterated taste of high-quality rye whiskey. With it being barrel strength, the proof will change from one bottle to the next, but it's often comfortably over 120.

Sadly, production levels aren't very high, making it hard to get your hands on a bottle. If you do, you'll enjoy a robust yet balanced whiskey. Despite the high proof and powerful rye flavor, it has a velvety mouthfeel, with orchard fruits and cinnamon being the most distinctive tasting notes. The single-barrel approach ensures each bottle is a one-of-a-kind experience. The finish is also long-lasting and robust, making it the perfect whiskey to enjoy on those cold winter nights.

This maturely aged bourbon is another member of the Whiskey Row series. It's one of two 1910 expressions Old Forester has, and the date here refers to a fire that happened on the bottling line. Due to the fire, whiskey needed to be stored in a second barrel. This turned a potential tragedy into an opportunity, as the extra maturation gave a whole new character to the spirit.

Thankfully, the fire is in the distant past, but Old Forester wanted to remember this historical moment by creating an expression that has been barreled twice. Whereas the other 1910 bottle is merely finished in another barrel, the 117 Series version has been left there for two years. The oak influence is obvious, but that extra maturation in heavily charred barrels has also given it an elegant smoothness with mocha, dark fruits, and coconut on the palate. However, while it is a great whiskey, the 1910 is better served without such a heavy oak influence.

One of the best features of single-barrel bourbon is the chance they give drinkers to appreciate the nuance and complexity of each barrel. Sadly, the barrel-proof version that we looked at above didn't quite hit the mark in those respects. But where the barrel proof failed, the 100 proof succeeds. Many automatically equate higher proof with higher quality, but it's often not true. You only get around 220 bottles on average from a barrel of bourbon, so every time this bourbon is released, you get to enjoy something new.

Each bottle of Old Forester Single Barrel may differ slightly, but traditional bourbon tasting notes run through each release. The first thing you notice here is the deep amber hue. Once poured, you enjoy its rich aromas before picking out your own tasting notes. The 100 proof means it's a robust whiskey without being overpowering. It can be enjoyed neat, but you should try it with a drop of water to see how it opens up.

The last two expressions on this list are both part of the Whiskey Row series. Here, 1897 refers to the Bottled-In-Bond Act of the same year. This act was brought in to set standards in the industry. To market your whiskey as bottled-in-bond, it must be made at a federally bonded warehouse at one distillery, in one season, and at a proof of 100. It also needs to be matured for a minimum of four years. This was enforced to protect the industry against underhanded practices by those wanting to sell low-quality spirits that sometimes had dangerous additives.

This expression celebrates that commitment to quality with a whiskey that has a bold and robust profile. The palate offers an interesting blend of oak and dark fruits, along with the beautiful sweetness you expect from Old Forester. The finish is satisfyingly long, with warmth from its dark and bold flavors. It's a beautiful whiskey, but the number one on this list offers slightly better value.

Taste is the most important factor when ranking bourbon, but it isn't the only one. In our mind, it's better to pick up a great $30 bottle of whiskey than a $150 one that is only marginally better. That line of thinking has gone into the ranking here, as we placed a significant emphasis on value for money.

The experience of tasting these bourbons is a largely personal affair. However, we've also examined various opinions, expert and otherwise, to achieve a more general and objective consensus. The aim is to create a fair list that accurately reflects the expressions made by this famous brand.