Outside a faint tropical fruit note, the nose isn’t recognizable as Old Forester. I’ll be fair: Its aromas are solid: light and floral and slightly candied. Then, it moves to sherried notes like golden raisins, honey and baking spices.
It’s rich-rich on the palate. A blend of honey and Demerara syrups usher in deep oak tones and long-cooked fruit characters like blackberry preserves.
The nose is brooding and dark with a crispy foundation of chocolaty barrel char slathered in notes of dark berry jam, orange marmalade, and overcooked caramel. It’s one of the more intense Wild Turkey noses I’ve experienced.
Per usual, this Booker’s aroma is like the others: powerfully spicy and meant to warn that keeping the glass a few inches from one’s nose is wise.
Like those whiskeys, this is expressive and well-spiced. The nose shows more barrel notes than the wheated release, with plenty of oak and clove, but there’s a thick layer of caramel sauce and gooey apple pie underneath that makes for a silky, sweet aroma.
You may have plenty of craft bourbons on the shelf with a similar story to this one, but how many truly grain-to-glass bottles do you own from the big boys?
The aroma is initially a bit gritty and grain-forward, with lots of roasted cereal and creamed corn upfront. With time to unwind, silkier notes of butterscotch, vanilla pudding, and peanut butter arrive, but there’s still not a ton of depth.
Whether you’re sipping it alone while watching TV or enjoying it with friends around the campfire, you can’t go wrong with this bottle.
I love the lightly piney note that comes right out of every glass of Still Austin whiskeys. It comforts me knowing something good and unique is coming.
If you want to try something new and not from one of the big distilleries, try this one.
