According to owners, Brown-Forman, this is a favourite of bartenders. An ongoing NAS release composed of 72% corn, 18% rye and 10% malted barley, the label doesn’t actually say “Signature”, instead its title honours founder, George Garvin Brown, whose actual signature is depicted. Albeit young, BF have done a decent job of creating an affordable, solid, high proof Bourbon with body and palate weight. The nose has a few tell-tale signs of youth, with a touch of bubblegum and gobstopper, banana cake and candied peach but it's augmented by dark chocolate, spice and late hints of peppermint. The palate feels more mature, with cherry ripe chocolate, pipe tobacco and lots of wood spice. Mild tannins give a grippy feel to the finish, followed by a flash of rye and a pleasing pepper warmth that goes on at length. Neither too sweet nor too dry, and at 100 proof the overall balance is satisfying - If you can get past the screw cap and basic presentation, you'd happily sip this neat or use it as a base for cocktails. 50% Alc./Vol. Value one litre bottle.
Other reviews... As a much improved product, Old Forester Signature 100 Proof goes a long way correcting its past wrongs, and can finally stand toe-to-toe with its competition....Old Forester Signature will be an introductory bourbon to a lot of people, or an everyday bourbon to more seasoned drinkers. This price range comes with certain expectations though, like a more memorable flavor profile, that while not overly complex, still provides some flavor depth and sophistication. Evan Williams Single Barrel, Four Roses Small Batch, and Eagle Rare all accomplish this within this price range. Old Forester 86 and 100 proof bourbons have struggled with this for many years. They were far from bad bourbons, they just weren’t all that memorable. Unfortunately what was most memorable about them was their dreadful finish. With this nearly fixed, and a rich palate and respectable depth, Old Forester Signature now provides a solid pour at a great price point. - breakingbourbon.com, 2019 review.
Gold Medal - International Spirits Challenge
