Old Forester Old Fashioned
Today is National Cocktail Day, y’all. Now, I’m not usually one for these made-up internet holidays, and these days I’d rather sip my bourbon neat rather than mix up a cocktail. But, it was such a lovely afternoon to sit on the porch and enjoy an Old Fashioned.
The Old Fashioned claims its roots in the late 19th century, at Louisville’s famed Pendennis Club. I’ve heard it called Louisville’s official cocktail, and the official drink of Thurby. Whatever you call it, the sweet syrup, tart bitters, strong bourbon and hint of orange make for a lovely cocktail. You can sweeten it with a wheated bourbon or you can add a high-proof pour to even out the edges. It’s usually a great sipper, unless your bartender goes overboard with the bitters.
The best Old Fashioned I ever drank was during an interview and tasting experience. Jackie Zykan, the Master Taster at Old Forester, made the perfect OldFo Old Fashioned as we talked and tasted at the Brown-Forman Shively Warehouse. While this was kind of a once-in-a lifetime experience — trust me when I say that Jackie is one of the coolest, most knowledgeable, and all-around awesome people you’ll ever meet and I can only dream of being a badass like she is— we can all try her recipe at home.
The Perfect Old Fashioned Recipe, via Old Forester
INGREDIENTS
2 oz. Old Forester 100 Proof
0.5 oz. Demerara Syrup (2:1)
2 dashes Angostura™ Bitters
Combine ingredients in mixing glass. Stir with ice. Strain over ice in a double old fashioned glass. Garnish with lemon and orange peel.
Cheers, y’all!
Maker's Mark Wood Finishing Series 2021 FAE-01 Review
A must-taste limited edition expression from Maker’s Mark
When Bob and I visited the Maker’s Mark distillery a few weeks ago, we picked up a bottle of the latest limited release in the Maker’s Mark Wood Finishing Series, FAE-01. We’ve tasted it a couple of times now, and we’ve really found it to be the most complex, fruit-forward, interesting bourbon expression we’d tried in a while. I absolutely love this one, y’all.
The Wood Finishing Series was launched in 2019 as an extension of the Maker’s 46 and Private Selection expressions. which finish fully mature Maker’s Mark bourbon in barrels made of a combination of specially-selected charred and toasted oak staves to produce more intense and pronounced flavors. The 2019 (RC6) and 2020 (SE4xPR5) were each made using distinct wood profiles. The first release of 2021, FAE-01, uses virgin American oak staves that have been toasted on one side and left raw on the other, coaxing out both strong earthy flavors and bright, fruity notes.
The release’s name comes from the fatty acid esters which are formed throughout the distilling and fermentation process. Here, the non-chill filtering process favored by Maker’s Mark is crucial. “Non-chill-filtering allows long-chain fatty acid esters (FAEs) to remain in the liquid, which contributes to the creamier mouthfeel and helps preserve and elevate the fruit notes,” a distillery press release explains. The result is really something special.
Maker’s Mark Director of Innovation Jane Bowie noted in the same press release that this expression “tastes just like a barrel warehouse smells.” This is a stunningly succinct and accurate description of FAE-01. All the delightful notes that hit your nose on a warehouse tour are captured in the flavor of this bourbon. It’s a definite must-sample for bourbon lovers. If you run across a bottle of this one, you should definitely pick it up!
FAE-01 retails at $60. A companion expression, FAE-02, will be released in the fall.
We obviously had to taste this one a couple of times to get it all right.
Maker's Mark Wood Finishing Series 2021 FAE-01 Tasting Notes
Mash Bill: 70% corn; 16% red winter wheat; 14% malted barley
Finishing Wood: 10 virgin toasted American oak staves
Proof: 110.6 (cask strength)
Nose: fruit-forward notes of blackberries, bing cherries, and figs; opens to molasses and a strong note of rickhouse wood.
Palate: bing cherries and lemon zest, demamara sugar, toasted oak, and plums.
Finish: creamy with a lingering balance of earthiness and sweetness.