Old Forester K&L Exclusive Single Barrel #4093 (Warehouse H, Floor 5) Straight Kentucky Bourbon Whisky (750ml) $39.99 View
Another stupendous cask from the excellent distillery in the Louisville adjacent neighborhood of Shively. The old facility is one of the most authentic, using several practices now eschewed by modern distillers, including a proper souring element and an old school thumper. The thumper is an unusual style of doubler (pot still component of bourbon distillation that takes the first run up to final proof) where the alcoholic steam from the beer striping run (column still) is injected directly into a pot of water. The steam heats the water to boiling and the resulting quick condensation creates a loud bang or thump. The whiskies are then aged in old patent warehouse for 4-6 seasons. They’re very caged with the actual bottle ages here, but these are not the oldest whiskies on the shelf. They do see a number of seasons of steam heated aging in the winter time, which adds depth and softens the bourbons. All together the result is one of the most interesting and drinkable single barrel releases on the market. Expect a nose of stewed fruit, old exotic wood, wild flower honey and sweet maple syrup. The palate starts very soft and sweet with a warming spice that keeps it incredibly balanced and lifts this whiskey up for a long lingering finish of baking spice and roasted orchard fruit.
