Old Forester Single Barrel Barrel Proof
Overall Score: 7/10
Overall Value: 2.75/5
Distillery: Brown-Forman Shively Distillery
Classification: Straight Bourbon
Company: Brown-Forman
Release Date: Ongoing
Proof: 128.3
Age: NAS
Color: Dark Amber
MSRP: $100 (2025)
Mashbill: 72% Corn, 18% Rye, 10% Malted Barley
The Barrel Bros’ Review
The nose on this Old Forester Single Barrel Barrel Proof opens with a mix of breakfast nostalgia and deep, dark richness. On one hand, you get a sweet grainy note reminiscent of a fresh bowl of Cheerios with sliced bananas, softened by vanilla pudding. On the other, darker fruits like blackberry, plum, and grape show up, along with a leathery backbone and a faint note that’s oddly similar to a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. There’s a lot going on here—typical for a barrel proof release—and it all sits under that bold Old Forester high-proof heat.
The palate for this pour brings a big flavor upfront. Banana and vanilla wafer lead the charge, followed by a burst of cherry Twizzler and grape jelly notes. The mouthfeel is a bit thinner than expected for the proof, but still carries a good amount of intensity. However, after a few sips, the sweet flavors start to fade as the oak and char take over. A dry leather profile builds, overwhelming the fruitiness and shifting the experience into a darker, more tannic space.
The finish brings the heat. There’s a sharp sting from the high proof, and most of the sweetness disappears, leaving behind strong charred oak and dry wood. A light vanilla wafer note manages to hang on, but this one leans heavily into the barrel influence. It’s long, bold, and not shy about its proof.
This single barrel definitely delivers the boldness you'd expect from an Old Forester Barrel Proof bourbon. It’s dark, punchy, and loaded with character, but perhaps a bit unbalanced. While the MSRP isn’t outlandish for a barrel proof product, the price might feel steep if you're chasing some complexity.
On sale, it becomes a more attractive pickup, especially for fans of high-proof, oak-heavy pours. As far as a review goes, this one lands firmly in the “mood pour” category—great when you want something unapologetically intense, but probably not your daily go-to.
If you’re looking for specific notes from our Barrel Bros, read their individual reviews below!
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Individual Reviews
The Rye Guy Says
Score: 7/10
Value: 2.5/5
THE NOSE:
I get a freshly made bowl of cheerios with cut bananas.
It's a bit of sweetness, grain, and banana.
It also has a richness to it, bringing in a bit of the pudding profile.
THE TASTE:
The palate is heavy banana and vanilla wafer, but there is also a bit of red fruit present. Similar to a cherry Twizzler.
The mouthfeel is a bit thinner than I’d expect, but carries a lot of flavor. After multiple sips a heavy char and oakiness started to overwhelm the palate.
THE FINISH:
The finish has a real sting to it, and I lose most of the fruitiness in exchange for a dry woodiness.
I can really feel the proof point here. A bit of the vanilla wafer flavor remains, which is nice.
BUY OR PASS?
I enjoy the nose, but the rest of this pour was a bit all over the place. The palate and the finish are not quite as refined as I want.
I think its a proper single barrel, but as an enthusiast I wouldn't be searching for another one. After doing our review this pour drank much better not under scrutiny.
The Hunter Says
Score: 7/10
Value: 3/5
THE NOSE:
This one kicks off with a wave of dark fruits—blackberry, grape, and plum. It’s deep and rich.
There’s also a leathery note that adds a little ruggedness. If you sniff around long enough, you might even catch a hint of peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
The Old Forester profile is there, but it’s buried under the high proof.
THE TASTE:
On the palate, it feels full and sweet at first, but most of that fruity sweetness fades pretty quickly.
What sticks around is a mix of leather and heavy charred oak.
There’s maybe a bit of grape jelly in there if you really look for it, but it’s mostly dry, dark flavors.
THE FINISH:
The finish is all burnt oak.
Not the rich, cozy oak some bourbons bring—this one leans harsh and charred.
It lingers, but not necessarily in the best way.
BUY OR PASS?
This isn’t a bad pour by any means, but it’s definitely a mood pour. One I’ll reach for on certain nights, but not something I’ll be going back to often.
I was hoping for a little more sweetness and balance, but it’s still solid when you want something bold and dark.
