Old Forester President’s Choice 2026 Review
Dan and Calvin taste and compare the 2026 Old Forester President’s Choice release, focusing on how it opens up in the glass, how it differs from the 2025 bottle, and whether the fresh crack delivers on the nose, palate, and finish. This is a short bourbon review with a clear tasting arc: initial impressions, evolution after air, and a quick comparison to a previous year’s release.
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Key points
In this episode, the hosts review the 2026 Old Forester President’s Choice release from a fresh crack and compare it directly to the 2025 bottle.
They note the specific barrel details for the 2026 bottle: Barrel 203, aged 92 months, bottled at 61.8% ABV, or 123.6 proof.
The nose stands out immediately with brown sugar, dark fruit, blueberry, and a fruit profile that becomes more expressive as the whiskey breathes.
The palate starts with fruit and spice, then shifts into a deeper grape and blueberry character.
The finish is described as a little hotter, thinner, and shorter than some other pours they had that night.
A noticeable bitterness appears after the initial sip, though they describe it as not unpleasant, just less desirable than the 2025 release.
The 2025 version is remembered as having a longer finish and avoiding that bitter turn on the back end.
On the second sip, the bourbon seems sweeter and more layered, suggesting the bottle may improve with more time open.
They conclude that it is a solid fresh crack with a phenomenal nose, even if it does not quite outperform the 2025 bottle right away.
The episode closes with a casual life update about bourbon hunting, work, travel, and upcoming vacation plans.
Timestamps
00:00 - Introducing the 2026 Old Forester President’s Choice release
00:29 - Barrel 203 details: 92 months, 123.6 proof
00:57 - Limited online release and multiple barrel variations
01:29 - Why the President’s Choice name matters
01:49 - Comparing the 2026 bottle to the 2025 release
02:41 - Brown sugar and dark fruit on the nose
03:10 - Blueberry and ethanol coming through
03:50 - How air changes and improves the nose
04:45 - Fruit-forward entry on the palate
05:05 - Deep blueberry and grape-like finish
05:40 - Finish length and mouthfeel compared with other pours
06:09 - The bitterness difference versus 2025
07:13 - Second sip becomes sweeter and more layered
07:56 - Expecting more improvement as it opens up
08:25 - Final tasting summary with barrel and proof recap
09:12 - What’s coming up next for the hosts
10:25 - Closing thoughts and listener shout-out
Notable quotes
“Phenomenal nose now.”
“The second drink was a lot sweeter.”
“It’s a solid fresh crack.”
Bourbon, Brass & Beyond - https://www.bourbonbrassandbeyond.com