Barrel Strength Rye: This Could Be Old Fo’s Best Whiskey

In a press release today, Old Forester announced a single barrel barrel strength rye available June 1. 

Since the release of Old Forester Rye in 2019, fans of the brand have been clamoring to try it at barrel strength, and we’re excited to deliver. For the first time in the brand’s 150 year history, Old Forester is elated to present this new expression, unfiltered, as a single barrel at barrel strength. As such, each barrel will have its own unique tasting notes and various proofs – but all distinctly Old Forester Rye. This expression, although extremely limited, will be available nationwide though not through Old Foresterʼs private By the Barrel program.

Tasting Notes (provided by Old Forester):

Aroma: Dessert forward, creamy vanilla and lemon custard, alongside rich caramel and dark brown sugar.

Taste: Full-bodied with a base of ripe orchard fruit, subtle cinnamon stick, dried dill, and hazelnut.

Finish: Lengthy and spice driven, with peripheral black pepper and unpinnings of green anisette and crisp mint.

On her Instagram account, Jackie Zykan (Old Forester’s Master Taster) commented: “Ask and you shall receive.  Well, we bottled it and made a label for it. Whether you actually find a bottle or not is another story.  Happy hunting.  There will be no private selections.  75 barrels a year total will be released country wide”. 

The 2019 release of Old Forester’s first rye, a 100-proof offering, was greeted enthusiastically by the whiskey community for both its flavor and its budget-friendly price point.  A liter of quality rye for $25 or less is always a good thing.  The single barrel barrel strength at $80 won’t break the bank either.  It is the finding of the bottle – at retail - that will be the challenge. 

I had a chance to sample some barrel strength Old Forester rye a couple of years ago and it was fantastic.  Not to add to the certain hysteria surrounding the release of this whiskey, but I thought the barrel strength rye that I tried was better than any current Old Forester product on the market.   

So, as Jackie said…”happy hunting”.