Old Forester Barrel Proof Rye Whiskey Review! Is this an $80 Rye?

Old Forester Distilling Co. has launched Old Forester Rye Single Barrel, marking the first innovation of this rye recipe since the original 100 proof release. Presented unfiltered and at barrel strength, the product is available nationwide and at Old Forester Distilling Co. in limited quantities.
I compare this new rye to some old favorites and see if this Barrel Proof rye is worth the $80 price tag. Enjoy the video!
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[@tristenl6938]

Add another bottle to the “look for everywhere” list. Thanks Jason

[@NorthWestBourbon]

Wow. Thanks for the introduction, hadn't heard of the OF BP Rye. Keep up the good work Jason, really enjoy your reviews, always educational.

[@IC86]

Good review, thanks for posting it. I’ve been looking at the Old Forester 100 proof as a purchase in the near future. And yes, if I can find some JD Single Barrel Barrel Proof Rye, I’ll be all over it.

[@devenpatel3044]

Wow. What a great call on the RB rye flavor notes, I've been searching for so long and you said it right I was taking a sip...magic.

[@2TEN90]

Absolutely loved this video and the blind Rye vertical at the end. Not surprised the JD SBBP Came out on top, but now we really need to get our hands on the OF SB Rye. Cheers!

[@stuffandwhiskey]

Sounds absolutely fantastic! Definitely going to try to get our hands on one of these when they drop locally. Barrel proof OF always seems to hit the spot here.

[@kinesjl]

Wow that sounds delicious, we can't wait to try it. Cheers Jason!

[@javirios9234]

Hopefully it gets down here to SoFla and I'm willing to pay $80 no problem. I love everything OF brings out and along with WT is my favorite distillery. Great review as always Jason! Cheers!🤙

[@tonycronin3080]

Cool comparison. Especially since the JDSBBP rye and OFBP are similar mashbills. I blew through the Regular SiB Jack rye. Loved that stuff. This sounds right up my ally

[@HamTurkey]

Thanks for the comparisons!

[@TheWhiskeyChannel]

I really loved this video, man! An epic Rye blind flight - fuggin awesome. Love that Pikesville's placement was a shocker to you at 4th; you know how deep our affinity for Pikesville goes. Also love that bottle of Russell's. Speaking of our love for Turkey, I just picked up the RB Rye last week; haven't opened it yet, but I'm excited to. I also thought your Rye notes overall were interesting; we've been getting more and more citrus & rind type notes on Ryes, which has been interesting to me.

[@TheMashandDrum]

Yeah I love pikesville so much. Yeah the wild turkey rare breed for me is like orange creamsicle. Crazy stuff.

[@scottwilliams5388]

Jason, the Krispy Kreme lemon is my jam!!! I need this in my life. Lol. I find myself saying that a lot lately. Great review! Thank you

[@Mazimo]

OF definitely making that margin. It's only in the 25% range higher proof but charging 200%+ more. I'll still probably buy it if I see it. Great review as always Jason

[@hazenjonas]

Sounds pretty amazing, gotta look out for this!

[@adamseaman7306]

Awesomeness! Great review. Thanks for making my mouth water. Cheers!

[@nickgerula]

I am ludicrously excited to try this one. I always have the OF 100 rye on my shelf.

[@robertdekker2147]

Great review, thank you!

[@mikedubs9940]

Jason this is by far my favorite KZbin channel. It seems that I have the same Khondapali as you do. Maybe it’s a Queens New York thing. but I would love to get one of those Jackie Zycan 117s

[@edpeter9411]

Yeah, I'd buy it if it becomes available in VA. Starting to travel for work again, going to add this to my list of bottles to hunt!

[@whiskeyedition]

Thanks for the reviews! I've got a sample of the JDSBBP, and I'll look for the OF, probably have as much luck finding it as the JDSBBP... Cheers.

[@greircrabtree6940]

Great review! Love me some Rye!

[@matthewgabbard6415]

I would like to try this. I love the 100 proof one. It makes great cocktails and is actually pretty good neat. I love the brown sugar nose you get on it

[@kinesjl]

P.S. Russell's and Rare Breed have been my go to Rye's prior to watching this video. We love Jack Daniel's SBBP but were skeptical of their rye before watching this episode. We can't wait to try the Jack as well as the new Old Forester rye now. Cheers!

[@brownprince6264]

Just cracked mine last night.. it’s a beast and everything I wanted.. agreed it’s not better than the JDBP rye but what is. I think it’s awesome and a must buy if you can find one

[@funwithwhiskey9899]

I am on the lookout for this.

[@dawgsfan8321]

The JD I have is straight up Andes mints!! Looking forward to this OF release!

[@joepastrana7287]

Love the comparison you came up with. Hopefully I can find it so I can put it up against my JD. Do you think it’s a little over priced at $80 since the Jack Daniel’s came in at $65? Keep’em coming 👍🏼 Cheers 🥃

[@blakehester]

New camera looks great! 🤙

[@Danish_Guy_77]

Nice review as usual, sad Rye and bourbon barrel strength are close to impossible to find in Europe, now I'll enjoy the last of my michter's Rye barrel strength, a friend brought from the US 🥃

[@jdfeighner]

Nice tasting! If I ever see an OF SiB rye I’ll pick one up! But that JD tho... one of my guilty pleasures is a bottle of unaged JD rye whiskey i got a couple years ago it’s just sooooo tasty 😋

[@joshrandall8473]

Great review/comparison.

[@troym3219]

I'll spend the money. Your one and two are Brown Foreman, which is knocking it out of the park. Can't wait, although these may be unicorns in Minneapolis. We never saw any JD single barrel barrel proof in our market.

[@TaylorOpee]

Since I missed out on the JD, I’ll be hunting this.

[@DrumsAndDrams]

Dude. I wanna try this one!! Cheers

[@troybornhorst9173]

Great comparison BTW!

[@fordmanfisher]

Cant wait to try that one

[@foodandbourbon7737]

My current top Rye, JD Barrel Proof Special Release Rye! 🔥 I’ll be hunting for that OF Barrel Strength Rye now, thanks for the review Jason!

[@jonmorris6976]

The Wilderness Trail Barrel Proof Rye is just as good

[@foodandbourbon7737]

A favorite of mind for sure…I have a few Store Pick Wilderness Trail Barrel Proof Rye’s, but JD Barrel Proof Special Release Rye is on a different level. 🔥

[@brentanderson7968]

Another one I like is Rossville Union BP at $45. I haven't had the JD BP yet as the rye and his brother are so hard to find here in western Wisconsin. As for Pikesville, it costs the same as Rossville. Russells is around $39 at Walmart. Haven't seen Old Forester rye anywhere yet. Might have to wait.

[@josephwatts2904]

Gonna be interesting to see if this actually hits shelves in good numbers or if the bars will get all of em

[@glenchenoweth4976]

Nice, just got my bottle.

[@abbywhoknits]

Pikesville in 4th?!? Wow! I hope I can find some of this Old Forrester!!

[@drgallup]

I like the OF 100 rye for mixing. It's a steal at $25. $80 is a big jump up for the same juice at barrel proof. Maybe it has a few more years, who knows. Would have loved to see Rare Breed rye in here, I love it and it's getting more available. I paid extra to get my first bottle at $75 but my new one only cost $47. I'll certainly get a bottle of OF BP rye as soon as I see it but it remains to be seen if I get a second bottle at that price.

[@anthonyspadavecchio2036]

When should I expect for the old fosters rye to come out to purchase?

[@Subourbon]

i scored one for $130. looking forward to cracking it tonight.

[@markrogers2154]

Thanks Jason! I would like to send you a bottle of the CS Woodinville Rye that the Bourbon Pursuit guys rave about, it’s only available in their gift shop. I picked one up the other day and it’s damn good! Thanks for all the hard work you put into all your videos!

[@jasono.1629]

I totally agree in preferring less sweet rye’s that are more seasoning and spices. I like ryes that taste like ryes not bourbons. Only one I’ve tried that’s like that is knob creek cask strength rye, but I’ve heard rare breed rye is like that too.

[@troybornhorst9173]

Knob Creek’s CS Rye (2019 release) is phenomenal IMO. Agreed.

[@LeatherDaddy97]

More barrel proof ryes please

[@MassEveNova]

Brown Forman using the revenue from No.7 to make great special release whiskys.

[@TheJohnbortle]

Any Jolly Rancher finish on the new rye?

[@JWFX4]

Where would you place the Old Forester 100 proof in that lineup?

[@hankbutts4286]

Great video and interesting!! What Ryes would you consider “disappointments” as far as common shelf everyday Ryes?

[@IC86]

If I may give my own answer to this: the Wild Turkey 81 Rye isn’t anywhere near the WT 101 Rye or other ryes. I was also disappointed in the Knob’s Creek Rye. It’s not bad, but it’s not as good as most of the others I’ve tried.

[@TheMashandDrum]

I would echo the knob creek rye. It's ok. Also the elijah craig rye was a big disappointment

[@BSims-MD410]

Thx Jason, good review...I like the OF Rye but will give this a try...🥃

[@rickmcq6905]

Did you finish those glasses or pour them back in the bottle? Especially the JD Nice video

[@TheMashandDrum]

Made a blend. It was pretty awesome

[@stevemillerecon]

That OF rye 100 makes THE BEST boulevardier. And a great old fashioned. And a great summer sipper by the campfire. And... well let's just say it's $25 well spent.

[@tommartin1223]

How would u rate Woodford reserve rye?

[@aldogomez2681]

Question??? Have you had the Balcones Rye?

[@czrs85]

Can't wait to get a hold of one bottle. Cheers.

[@christopherciulla8190]

I just watched this episode on auto play. I’ve seen the OF BS Rye for about $109 here in NY a few months back and passed on it. I can get a bottle of the JDBS Rye right now for $499 in a retail store! I’m curious how the OFBS Rye would match up to Michter’s BS Rye. I just picked up a bottle at SRP but haven’t tried yet. What are your thoughts on this matchup? Cheers!

[@TheMashandDrum]

I think I still lean Michters honestly. It's somehow a bit richer in flavor.

[@TheNemaddux]

If you ever come down to the Cincinnati area, we have plenty of Rare Breed Rye for $65

[@TheMashandDrum]

Actually just found one today here in Columbus. Feel better now. Lol.

[@paulmadden3699]

How does the OF compare to the Mitchers BP rye?

[@TheMashandDrum]

It's close. I think the michters may be a bit sweeter but this Old Forester is a beast. I will have a double bass on those 2 soon.

[@the_snicklefritz]

Jack Daniels SB BP Rye... the undefeated, super heavyweight champ of ryes lol Good lord that stuff is amazing

[@humchan2k]

This is correct

[@bbsmith3017]

You speak the truth bubba

[@jakebarson3045]

Did you write “WT” on the sticker under the Wilderness Trail glass? Looked like an “oh sh*t” moment trying to remember if it was for Wilderness Trail or Wild Turkey lol

[@TheMashandDrum]

That's exactly what I did.

[@anthonystaggs6239]

Would be cool if you did the lineup tasting right off the bat instead of tasting the feature bourbon first....maybe? Love the vids as always!!!!

[@TheMashandDrum]

Well wanted to feature the notes of the new one in case the other whiskeys affected it.

[@anthonystaggs6239]

@@TheMashandDrum Of course....I was thinking it was a somewhat dumb suggestion as I was typing but I'm never one to back down🤣🤣

[@jrrn96]

Run this back but drop the Pikesville and wilderness trail, and add Rare breed Rye and Hubers Master Distillers Rye pick

[@bobbalkovec]

Snagged a bottle of their regular rye and love it...accidentally drank half a bottle last weekend. OOPS!!

[@cpakid6224]

I can't help but be a little skeptical when a distillery sends a sample to be reviewed. Hopefully that sample is a true reflection of the release as a whole. Great review JC.

[@LeatherDaddy97]

Old forester have a good enough track record that im optimistic

[@cpakid6224]

@@LeatherDaddy97 I agree, but the bourbon/whiskey market in the US is filled with annual and special releases that makes these distillers a hell of a lot of money. Especially when they are hyped up, so it's always in their best interest to keep that momentum going. Just saying...

[@LeatherDaddy97]

@@cpakid6224yeah optimistic. Nothing more

[@Caddyshhack]

Did you enjoy this more than the SBBP bourbon?

[@TheMashandDrum]

I did. Haven't found an old forester barrel proof that I've loved.

[@ARGONUAT]

Have you been able to try any other bottles of this since this review? Was wondering if you found the lemon in this one to be more of an anomaly rather than normal?

[@TheMashandDrum]

I've only had 2 others and neither of them had lemon. Citrus but wouldn't say lemon.

[@ARGONUAT]

@@TheMashandDrum That’s what I noticed with Matty Zitrick. Was doing some research for a show Matty and I are doing tomorrow night on Old Forester. Cheers as always from Texas!

[@TheNewMailman]

Woooo

[@krs1905]

So the OFBP Rye doesn’t drink HotAF like their BP Bourbon picks? The OFBP Bourbon store picks were some of the most disappointing bottles that I bought last year.

[@TheMashandDrum]

These do not. At least the single barrel I had.

[@Jared40]

I still am on hunt for Jack Daniels Single Barrel Barrel Proof Rye 🤣🥃

[@IC86]

So am I. Happy hunting.

[@jonmorris6976]

It's THE Best product that ever came out of Jack Daniels Awesome with a Capital A

[@Jared40]

@@jonmorris6976 I'm in Colorado and I was lucky enough to get Jack Daniels Eric Church Special Edition but this one is hard to find

[@Jared40]

@@jonmorris6976 better than JD Single Barrel Barrel Proof ??

[@jonmorris6976]

@Jared40 I love Both The Jack Daniels Barrel Proof is 130 proof of yummy . And is readily available unlike G.T.S.

[@markvasko]

Fyi. Rarebreed has been showing up in Ohio again, do you may want to check your local.

[@glennspurrell5432]

You had me at lemon

[@marvindiamonjr.9631]

$80 isn't bad if it's a unique rye. I usually don't spend that sort of money on something if it is similar to something cheaper. Some say I'm cheap, but I like to think of myself as frugal. Whiskey is a necessity, but I'd like some money left over for food every now and then!

[@TheMashandDrum]

I hear ya. Rye fans who never see michters barrel proof or jack daniels barrel proof rye may have a better shot at this. And it's up there with those.

[@blakeanderson1214]

Crazy when you compare good whiskey next to great whiskey. Also, depends on the day. 😂😅

[@mojo88bassandbourbon72]

The 100 proof is str8 plantains to me look forward to tryn the BS

[@markwanner3633]

Want.

[@sdf1975]

Raleys here had that JD Rye for 82 bucks. I was able to grab two (one for my neighbor.) That stuff is a heavy hitter for sure. I’ve yet to try OF basic rye at all. They also had batch B of the OF 150th for $140. Have yet to crack that one open.

[@thomasmichael6509]

Given this is a single barrel with basically the very best rye barrels picked that they have, I don’t see why everyone is worked up about the price jump from the regular rye. It’s like whining that the store pick single barrel barrel strengths cost $80 compared to the price of OF100

[@MarkoMarkolovic]

Would you pay $170 for a bottle of the barrel strength rye?

[@dmitripress9853]

I got Old Forester Single barrel 131 Poof $95 include tax. Not tested yet

[@christopherm.2413]

Why does it seem like everything coming out is now a "limited" release and it automatically has a price tag of $80-100?

[@davidmorrow4195]

Agree, they can sell 100 proof for $24 or "limited" and higher proof for the much higher price point and people will buy it. Not hard to see where the money is. My guess is the next "limited release" will be bigger if this one sells quickly.

[@nicholaspayne1906]

Would you say it’s a lemon party?

[@TheMashandDrum]

Lmao. A bit. But it's sweet and rich as well. Great rye

[@abcarlson3293]

I got a Wilderness Trail store pick barrel proof rye that goes head to head with the Jack limited barrel proof rye. Both less than $80...$55 for the WT and $65 for the Jack. And Brown Foreman ruined my favorite Scotch, The GlenDronach. Spending my money elsewhere.

[@TheMashandDrum]

Good point on the glendronach.

[@erikevenson4303]

Sounds like I found my new rye.

[@BigJonkulous]

I always taste watermelon on the 100 proof

[@kevinmoscato743]

My local liquor store prices this rye at $279.00. To rich for my blood!

[@dharycki]

Actually a bit disappointed to hear it’s going to retail at $80. Seems like a lot of other barrel proof/cask strength bottles retail at $60-$70. It would have to blow the doors off the OF Rye 100. I like Old Forester but may pass on it at the $80 price point.

[@cabates0114]

My thoughts exactly when I first saw the announcement. OF Rye is one of my daily sippers, but that $80 asking price is a significant jump.

[@rough_spirits]

First comment! You should have done a premiere on this video!

[@TheMashandDrum]

I would have but I'm at work today. Lol.

[@rough_spirits]

All good. I'm super hyped to get a bottle of this!

[@DC632A]

I think your results might have been different if you swished some water around between sips

[@F4M05D4V35]

Do you think the fact that this was sent to you for free affects your impartiality of the review?

[@alekseymel7852]

Usually I agree with your opinions. But I completely dislike old forester rye. It tastes like pickle juice to me. Tried it few times then just dumped the bottle . I do like wild turkey ryes.

[@DBTdad]

2:10 why I don't like OF rye. Too much barley in my rye.

[@daveykillz2780]

Anything from OF is amazing. Jackie zykan is outta this world hot, and she loves bourbon. Are you single jackie!?!?

[@waydegardner7373]

*sigh. Another potential great sipper I’ll never get to try.

[@nolenlifts4661]

OF couldn’t send u a fifth?!

[@RonMcClarin]

Great vid Jason but what's with the 60s porn music in the background, lol

[@TheMashandDrum]

Haha. It's the sax isn't it?? Lol. Noted.

[@jamesfiero3255]

$80.00.... Never...its for folks with more 💰💰 than sense😔

[@thomasmichael6509]

Yikes

[@jonaschaudhary2839]

Your rye reviews clearly show that you’re predominantly a bourbon lover. Absolutely nothing wrong with that of course, just saying…,

[@TheMashandDrum]

Yeah. I definitely lean more towards bourbon. But I also like high rye ryes as long as I don't get that dill or pickle note.

[@HighSpinSwingSpeed]

Lemon taste and I’m out